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Full text of "A remonstrance against Presbitery : exhibited by divers of the nobilitie, gentrie, ministers and inhabitants of the County Palatine, of Chester with the motives of that remonstrance ... together with a short survey of the Presbyterian discipline .."

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TH]iOLOGI0ilL# 


COLLECTION  OF  PURITAN  AND 
ENGLISH  THEOLOGICAL  LITERATURE 

$ 

LIBRARY  OF  THE  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 
PRINCETON,  NEW  JERSEY 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2011  with  funding  from 

Princeton  Theological  Seminary  Library 


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A  Rcmonftrance, 

AG  AINST 

PRESBITERY. 

Exhibited  by  divers  of  the  Nobilitie,    Gentrj^e, 

Minister  sand  Inhabit  ANTS 
ofthe  County  PALATINE.  OF 

CHESTER 

with   the    Motives   of  that 
REMONSTRANCE. 

TOGETHER    WITH  A  SHORT  SUR- 

vcy  ofthe  Presbyterian DifcipHne. 

Shewing  the  inconveniences  of  it  j  and  the  incon- 

fiftency  thereof  with  the  conftitution  of  this  State, 

being  in  its  Principles  deftru(5tiveto  the  Laws 

and  Liberties  of  the  People. 

With  a  bri'cfe  Review  ofthe  Inftitution,  Succeffion,  Iii- 

rifclii^ion  of  the  ancient  and  venerable 

Order  of  Bifhops* 

Found  to  bee  inftitutcd  by  the  Apoftles,  continued  evcr-fince, 
grounded  on  the  Lawes  of  God,  and  moft  agreeable 
to  the  Law  of  the  Land.  

\^  By  Sk  THOMAS  ^JSTONBarouQ:, 

/  '■     ^ 

Horace,  lib.  i.Epift.  2. 
Tt  iugttknt  homines^  furguntde  m^ieUtroneSj 

Vt  te  i^fumfcrves  non  ex^ergifceris  < 


Becauje  my  people  hath  forgotten  me^thcj  have  htirnt  inc  mfe 
to  vanity  r  and  the)  have  caufd  them  toflumhle  in  theirn^ays^ 
from  the  ancient  paths,  to  walk  in  paths  in  a  way  not  caflup, 
^^____       leremiah,  i^'.  15. 

Printed  for  John  JJion,    1^41. 


THE  KINGS   MOST  EX. 


CELLENT  MAIESTIE.  ^i."^ 


Moft  dread  Soyeraigne, 

FArrheeit  from  my  ambition,  to  frefumeyo.rr  'r\ 

facredMaiefiiefliould miff  efid  your  r}^ ore  pre- 
cious minutes  upon  the  ftrufaU,  of  this  wcake 
ejfiy  ofmf  loyall af[e^ions  to  my  Parents ;  My  King, 
the  Father  ojfhispeofle,{2.)towhom  by  the  Law  of na-  ^^^^^^^,  r^x  m. 
ture  I  owe  Faith  and  Allegeance:(}[)  My  Mother  the  a  bono  pacre  difFett 
Church,  inwhofehofomelhavcbeenfofteredrvith^  P^""   '^'^^["^f^  ^ 
the  pure  food  of  life,  the  Word  of  Truth.  communer' patran^ 

Jet  Sir ^  fmce  your  Maiejiie  was  f  leafed  fi  gr  J ci-  qui  eft  pater  patrix. 
oufytoaffraveofthe»>eerTc:ctorAhpaHrfthhW^f:^i:i'tl 
Treatife  (^Thc  Remonftrance  of  many  of  your  to  the  King  by  the 
humble  loyall  Subieds  of  t/iat  your  devoted  ^^^  of  Nature. 
County  o^  ChcGicr)  it  is  a  dutie  in  me  humb/y  to      ^*  ^ 
hegge  your  Maiejlies  leave  ^  that  it  may  under  your 
Princely  patronage  voalke  abroad  with  this  Comment^ 
it  hauing  by  mifprifion  or  malice ,  heene  ^urfued  w\th 
fome  vniuft  clajnourt  ,And  the  pure  intents  of  the 
fubfcribers  have  been  exroz'Ji  to  a\w'tfter  im  erpretati-    '  '^ 
on  whoe  lam  certain  had  no  othtr  end  hut  to  ey  frefje 
their  loyall  defires  to  prevent  a  growing  danger, 

I  confejfe  my  owne  infujfciency  to  per  forme  (o  great 
A  taske^  Iforefee  the  calumny  that  inevitably  attends 
every  good  intention^  fince  Traducers  barkeat  thofe 
Elephants,  whofe  firength  of  learning  might fuj,port 
A  churchy  Againfi  all  the  batteries  of  vptt  or  rcafon  : 
Haw  mufi  llooh  to  have  theft  Bats  flutter  about  me^ 
A  2  who 


The  Epiftle  Dedicatory. 
tohqln  namekjffe  famphlets^'  fill  the  ajrc,  and  the 
fares  of  ever)  ommth  nol;hing^  hut  fhnkes  attd  out- 
tr'k!:i^' n^-ii^P  dll^vcrnment.,  'lm)£tirues Ag^mfi^all 
Coijeryoflrs  ^of  t^'e 'Chmch. 

B'it  I  hdve^re-id  of  one  thmeii»rn^e^-n4}o.feemg 
his  Father  in  danger ^  affdhon  fit^flted  tie  dcfccfs 
both  of  Art  and  n.iturey  and  in  ant'ifimtknt  htm 
organs  and litnginge  to  forevo.trne  his  Fathers  fcrdl, 
Thisexcnesmetofroceed  •  fince  Cod  hath  giojcn  mc 
fence  to  ffeake  fLitne  Englijh-^  a»d(  Ith'n':ehtm) 
fptrit  to  fpeake  truth  :  hwere  an  argument  ofaf 
feciation  to  mjfelfe,  if  out  ofdijirufl  of  mj  ovone  abi^ 
lities  to  write  Placentia,  (to  winne popular  applaufe) 
Jjho-ild  filence  my  dpfrehcnfon  of  the  danger  im- 
minent over  King  and  church  J  whieh  more  Icifure, 
er  perhaps  more  wiofitte  ,hath gi'ven  me  that  occafiojn 
to  looke  into  J    {may  bee)  many  better  ahiefjuie 
omitted.  '^      "    '      '    \  : 

Vifthk  it  is  to  every  eje^  n^hat  ajfaults  ar£.madehy 
fuch  innjeighours  again]}  the  long  ejlabhjhed  Govern- 
ment oftheChfirehy  under  that  reverend  Order  of 
Bjfhops  J  but  it  IS  not  fo  eafely  difcermibe  how  much  this 
may  eoncerne  yam  MaieJIre,  jct  Experience  mil  tell 
us  if  we  looke  abr o.id^th ax.  all  tl^^o^e  Monarchies  hc'ue 
^y^  ^nffer^d  an  EClipfe  where  the  rights  of  the  Churh 
have  bcenc  deferted :  4nd  na  marvel^ y  f  it  be  well 
Uok  'd  intOydrowns  carry  a,:eharme:  with  them  at  the 
ConsecrAtioH  of  Kings       \       '     '        ^ 

Ex  lie  'tly  learned  and jMisfaUory  I m^ifl  confeffe 
are  the  Treatifes  of  mmj  great  Dtvtnesm  defence  of 
this  Or^ler,  But  Ars^noa  feabtt  inimicum  praeter 
igaoraBtem,  and  fome  ofthefi  have  -erred  in  "oori- 
tingabavethc  capucjtj  offhetroppofirs.  jirtifiswdge 

'ef 


1 


The  EpiHIe  Dedicatory. 
hcjl  ofx  'Dhwond  xffithout  a  fo:le,  knoxo  it  h  y  it's 
ovone  Baycs :  ^ut  the  inexpert  only  by  comfmfcn  mill 
other  floncs.   I  havcj  Uc'dEpifcapaci  ardPr.sbytery 
in  piYAtell  5  {uch  as  my  fclfe  doubtp'JJe  wsll  better  di- 
Jii/7guifh  them  in  fUine  fro(^cct^  thdn  in  meer^f  ecu- 
lit  ion.     The  Bifhops  are  jiifpeci^  parties,  all  that ^^^^^^^^^'of^ 
U  writ  by  them  as  partiall ;  To  all  but  the  f  reiudic.it  e^   ^  2^  X  Bf  C  fi  TO  "7 
furel  (land  unfufpeH^  heir^g  its  free  borne,  as  tri& 
pendint  as  am  rxian^  I  have  no  intercfl,  but  the  /ozh^  '^TrT^t\'9  «  ^ 
Of  truth  and  liber  tie  •  Jave  that  of  lo'jaltte- ;  xvhtch%^^  ^     "-  Y^  a  v-*  a.  ii 
XQ-hen  1  confid:r  to  hovo  gracious  a  Prince  lovoethat      ^'H'^§2S??2*-^<^ 
dmi;I  confejfe  it  appeared  a  great  tyc  :  hcethatf])all  ^^^^m^ff^^-r**"'* 

read  thoje  publicke  profes /ions  of  grace  to  both  your , 
houfes  (^andtispilty  bu^  they  p:ould  be  read  dndregi- 

fired  in  the  hearts  of  all  your  people)  I  fliall  vvil-  t-u  ».-       ^     .   " 
1-.      1  -1  r  t,  T  •     The  Kings  fpeech  to 

liiigly  concur  with  you  to  rerorme  ail  Innovati-  loih  Houfcs.  zTT 
ons  in  Church  and  Cominon-vvcalth,  to  regu-       ianuar.i<?40. 
late  all  Courts  of  luftice  according  to  Law. 
(and  that )  what  ever  part  of  my  revenue  fhall 
be  found  illegall,  or,  grievous  to  the  publickc, 
I  will  willingly  lay  dovvne,  relying  entirely  up- 
on the  affedions  of  my  people.     Andjhall  bee 
privic  to  that  fledge  of  free  grace  given  und.r  your 
Maiefiies  hand  and  feak  to  that  yo'ir  County  upon  the 
humhUrcfyefeniation  of  their  loiafUffe^ionsto  the 
peace  of  church  and  State  ^  in  thofe  'coords  (  vohich  I 
affurc  mf  felfe  tve  fhall  ever  keep  as  roya[lReccrd<)  Wc 
being  defirous  with  the  advice  and  aiTiftancc  of  yj^„  j^.^    letter  to 
Parliament  to  redrefle  all  iuft  grievances  5  and  the  Lords  "and  Gen- 
refolv'd  by  Gods  grace,  to  preferve  the  puritie  f^/  o^  the  County 

rr)    r    •  J  A-^     *.^J^r,r    Palatine  of  Chefter. 

of  Religion,  and  governe  according  to  Law. 
He  I  fay^  that  fhall  but  read  thefc ,  [ure  needs  no 
oAth  pf  Mkgemcc,  but  xc'illbendallhis  endcvours  to 

A  3  fupport 


The  Epiftlc  Dedicatory 
fifport  allhispnjers  to  peypetuate  that  Crovpne  to  all 
pofterhfe,  under  vfhofe  Royaf/fhade,  wee  have  fuch 
happy  ajjitrances  to  receive  iujiice,  toemoy  ourReti' 
gton^  Libertie^  and  Laxoes, 

7 he fe  Considerations  have  encouraged  me  to  re* 
prejent  the  Governmentof  a  Presbitery  (  as  it  yet  ap^ 
peares)  by  their  owne  Writers y  Incompatible  with 
your  Maieflies  Soveraigntie ,  deflr  u5iive  to  yourpeo^ 
fles  liberties^  vpherein  yonr  Maieflie  pardoning  the 
prejumption,  and  ca(ling  a  favourable  eye  upon  the 
good  intention  :Juch  as  maligne  truth ,  or  your  Maie^ 
pies  profperitie  can  vent  their  venome  againfl  no 
man^  lejje  values  it  ^  then 


YourMaieftics  moft 

loyall  Subicd, 
and  humble  Servant,"' 


TUO,  ASTON 


Ti'o  the  '^ader. 


Reader, 

I  Did  never  cxpe£l  to  falute  thee  from  the  Prcfle, 
yet  I  am  now  forced  to  it,  finding  my  name  upon 
every  Stationers  ftall ,  firlt  afTumed  without  my 
privity,  to  countenance  (an  imperfed  truth,which 
yctlmuftavow  (The  (^hefhire Remonflrance^  impro- 
perly called,  APetitiofi.)  Secondly,  abufedbyan  ab- 
fblute  untruth  ,  the  fpurious  ifTue  of  fomc  brain-fick 
Anabaptift ,  injurioufly  fathered  upon  that  County, 
and  ftiled  The  anfiver  to  that  Petition, i\\t\:c\r\  difavo  w- 
ing  me ;  yet  I  muft  give  him  more  thanks  that  printed 
the  latter  then  the  fir/i ;  Thatcxpofed  me  to  ccnfure. 
This  invites  me  to  juftifie  my  felf ,  to  vindicate  my 
Countrey  :  Thefirrt,  flatting  out  naked  without  the 
papers  to  which  it  relates,  appears  like  a  fhadow  with- 
out a  fubftance,  or  a  Comment  without  a  Text,  yeelds 
every  man  difcourfe,  few  men  fatisfa6lion.  To  explain 
this  Riddle,  I  have  inferted  that  Petition,  thole  po/iti- 
tions  which  were  annext,  and  were  the  occafion  of 
our  RemonltranceThou  that  art  doubtfull  or  hail:  ccn  - 
fured  Ex  f  arte,  take  in  evidence^thc  whole  truth,  then 
give  thy  verdi6l. 

The  latter  hath  nothing  in  it  worth  my  anfwer,  nor 
thy  note,but  that  it  is  meetly  fi<3itious,  falfe  In  toto,^ 
in  qualihet  parte. 

Never  any  fuch  Petition  fcen  in  Chelliire,never  pre- 
sented to  the  houie,  noe  fuch  perlbns  ever  figned  it. 

For  thy  better  fatisfac^ion,  know  we  have  but  five 
Noblemen  in  Chefhire,  four  of  which,  figned  the  firft 
Petition ;  of  Knights  Baronets,  Knt«hts,  and  Efquircs, 
Iknow  not  above  two  in  the  whole  County,  that  do 
defire  the  abolition  of  the  Epifcopall  order,  wc  have 
notinallfo  many  Divines,  asarefaid  to  have  under- 

a  a  writ 


To  the  Read  CI 

writ,  andfouricorc  and  ten  of  thofe  have  fignedthe 
Remonftrance,  moft  oFthe  reft  were  never  asked.  And 
for  the  Gentry  and  inhabitants,  I  do  confidently  bc- 
leeve  not  one  of  either,  but  will  protctt  againft  that 
Libell,  not  one  ofa  hundred,  but  (thatqueftion  beJng 
finglely  ftated,  whether  they  defirc  the  continuance  of 
Bifhops,  or  to  fubmit  to  a  Presbytery)  will  with  their 
hands  wirnclTe  their  hearts  affeilions  to  the  prelcrva- 
tion  of  that  order,  eft-ablifh-ed  by  our  Laws,  the  obfer- 
vation  of  which  Laws,  mull:  preferve  the  continuation 
ofourlibertifs. 

But  thou  wilt  leffe  admire  his  boldnefie  to  traduce 
a  Countrey,  when  thou  fhalt  finde  him  fo  impudent  as  ' 
to  belie  the  Gofpel. 

To  delude  the  (ignorant  or  negligent)  Reader,  he 

i-luffs  his  Margin  full  of  Texts,  of  which  thou  flialtnot 

finde  one  for  hi?purpofe:  He  takes  upon  him  to  prove, 

that  the  Apoftles  alwayes  ordained  fundry  Bifhops  in 

every  particular  Congregation,  and  thofe  of  cquall 

power  and  authority  :  for  proofe  whereof ,  he  quotes 

Aifbrr.veife  z",       ^£?  11.30.but  take  the  precedent  verleswiihit,aodfee 

28,29,30.  what  thou  canft  conclude  thence  (a.)  And  in  thofe  days 

C.alapidejAfts         eame  Profhets from  Hierufalem  to  Antioch,  and  there 

(b)  Nee  alia  tunc  fuitj?''''^  ^f  °^^  of  them  named  <ty4gabm,  and  ftgnified  by 

■Diaconorum     ratio,  the  Spirit  that  there  fhonld  be  great  dearth,  thorowout  all 

quam  Tub  Apoftolis  /-/^^  world,  which  came  to  ^ajfe  in  the  dayes  of  Claudius 

oblationes  enim  fide-  ^^y^^^  j-/^^^  ^^^  Difeifles  every  man  aecordtng  to  his  a- 

anuos^Ecdefix  pro-  bility  determined  to  fend  relief  unto  the  brethren -whtcb 

ventus  x&c\\>\d-)zntnt  dwelt  in  ludea,  which  alfo  they  didy  andfentit  to  the 

conferenc  in  yitxos.  Elders  by  the  hands  of 'Barnabas  and  SauL 

ufiis  id  efl:  partim      By  which  it  i^  very  probable,  as  is  the  opinion  of 

Min.aris,      partim  ^  ^  L^pide,  and  others,  was  chiefly  meant  theDea- 

diftribuerent.    Epif-^<^"^>  W  ^^hoie  ofhce  was  to  coiled  and  trcaiure  up 

ccpi  tamen  arbitrio  the  benevolences  for  the  rchcfe  of  the  Presbyters^  and 

cui&oecoaomix  fuce  of  the  poor,  as  is  agreed  by  all  Writers.^  '\'^\ 

rariones  quotidianas      j^^^  he  would  apply  the  word  Bidders  whic'h''ls  in 

r^ddcbant                  j^    Latinc  Tresbyteri  oncly  to  theBiflicps  :  whereas 
Caivm  Inlhtiit.  iii"4.  — ^ —   .     '  ^  , 

cap.4.ica.   5.  '^^^ 


To  the  Reader. 

that  word  diJ  ufually  imply  all  the  Miniflcrs  oF  the 

Church,  As  it  is  explained  by  thafva?}  Icai-ne^TLjra, 

and  he  harmony  of  all  the  Fathers  upon  that  place  of 

tyi^s  l^.(c)  ^ndrehen  they  had  ordained  them  Elders  (c)  Lyra  cap.r4.Aas 

in  every  Church,  (^c.  (Hefiyes)  hy  the  name  of  Elders'^'^"^-   <^-toJ.ii44. 

is  alfo  to  be  under  flood  all  other  Mtntfters  oftheChurch,  ?,'  *""'"  ^"^"^"^fl*'^ 

asBtJhots,and\Deacons,xndjuchltke.  ^      defias  Presbyceros&c. 

blithe  reft  of  his  quotations  aic  butmecrc  citing  dicu  nominepresbyte- 
of  Texts  out  of  a  Concordance  where  ever  he  findes  rorum,  intelligunuir 
the  word  Elder,  quoting  it  for  a  ^^ifhop,  never  obfer-  "/^"],  ^^"  £cc]efi.>? 
ving  whether  it  be  for  him,  or  againft  him,-  As  to  n,  "l^i'^T^^^Pj' 
prove  them  ofequall  authcniy,  he  cites,  i  Tim.  5. 17.  vid.  Chryfoftome  up- 
Let  the  Elders  that  rule  well  be  counted  worthy  of  dou-  on  the  Epift.to  Titus 
ble  honour^tiS  a  ftrangc  conclufion,  ergo,  equal!  in  au-  fol- 1700. 
thority.  (d)Chtyrof>.r.cap.ad 

Likewife  to  prove  that  one  Ei/liop  is  not  {en  over  „"!!!-"-'  ^t"*'/-  ^^ 
many  Churches,  he  quotes  Titus,  who  as  it  appears  by  iudidum  comiruftt. 
the  fobfcription  of  that  Epiftle-,  was  ordained  the  firfi  (e)  Lyra  pauJus  infti- 
Bifbof  of  the  Cretians  I  Saint  Chryfoflome  upon  that^"!'^  Titum  ArchiE- 
Chapter,  faycs  ,  I'aul committed' to  Titus  the  jud^e-^'/f^^"^'^ ^'^^''''''^'^''''' 
mentofmany  Btjhofs.  And  Lyra  (^^;  upcn  i]xe  {zmc\J ^'^^''^'''^''''''^' 
Qhzpltr,  \\\ziTauli;iftituted  Titus  Archbtjhop  of  the  ^'-  "jr.  , 
r    .  •  u     \^  I       TT7  •  ,,  Tituin difcipuliim fu- 

Crf-r/rf^^j-jWithwhom  agree  our  late  Writers,  amongftumob  exinms  dotfs 

which  Erafmus  inore  fully  in  his  Argunient  on  the  E-  InfuL-e  riobiMima; 
piftle  to  Titus  oh('cr\cs,(i)x.h2LtFaulfet  Titus  his  Difci-^^'^^^,  pr^feccrat  A- 
ple,  for  his  excelleut  gifts,  over  the  Cretians,  and  de-  portoIus,&illJc  abiens 

tartino  thence,  confecratedhim  Jrckbifjop,  admoni/Iy-Z''^''^'^''''^'''''' '''"''' 

I  a-         r>  rr        /    L-  LI       i<-    ^11   T^       t       lc-rarac,morec .lurcni 

tng  him  to  injtitute  Bifljofs  (which  he  alio  calls  Prcsby-  qii^j  i-,fe:apud  Cre- 

tcrs)  in  every  Citty, pre fcribinghiiK  theft  endowments  of  icn^Q<i  per  fipo-idas 
aBifhop.  civicares      cpilcopcs 

With  like  Hbcity  doth  he  abufe  Hiftoty,  umvorthi-^"^'^'^''^'^''^"^'^  '^-'  P-cf- 
Iv  afliiming  the  name  of  that  reverend  Patriot,  Archbi-  byceros  vocat  idone- 
n         rrn  ■        L-    cr^-  i  i     i  -n       um  epilcopi  formam 

Inop  Vjher  to  patronize  his  nctionsj  w  ho  oncly  hiito-  prjefcnbens  &c. 

rically  recites  the  fcverall  opinions  of  Authors  concer-     ^      , 
;ning  the    firft  induceing  of  the  Chrutian  fiidi  into  ecdcilxprim^'''' 
.England,  \\\\tx\\trhy  James i\\c(ono^Zebedee,SimQ7} 
'1Zelvtes,S:7nm  Tettr,  qi  Jofcph  cfzyfrimatJ)ea,ann.6i, 

b  af  er 


To  the  Reader. 

^'  quiie-i/ Mecaphval  ^^^^^  Chrift,or  Others  ;  which  if  all  admitted  foi'  truths 
ftx  credimus,    apufi  conclude  nothing  to  the  governing  of  the  land  withou 
queinlegi.nuspetrum  Bifhops  (for  fome  hundred  yccrs  f  om  the  firfl  planta- 
in britannlongo  rem-  ^ion  of  the  Gofpel)  but  rather  the  clcer  contrar ;,  I  (h4 
pore  fuifle  moratum,     -^  ^j^^^  j^^^^^      ^^^^  P^^j^^^.^  ^^^,„  ^^,^^^5  ANhcrcbyJ 
ecc.  eccJehas    confti- ?>  ,  ,  ,  .  ,  ,->     i  r         r    i    ■        i     '^ 

niiflet  epifcopos,  J'^'^g^"^'^'"^^'^'^"'-"*^^*^  be  expeacd  trom  lueh  jug^;ler. 
presbyccros ,  &  dia-  Fir{t  he  cites  Metafhrafies^  in  whom  ffaith  he^*  tve  lead 
conos  ordinaflet.  ji.  that  Teeter  vhs  a  longtime  in 'BrittAKMie,  and  dretp  nf.ny 
Cxfaris  Neronis  rur-  Countrcys  to  the  Chrifttan  fatth,  but  at  Lifl  when  he  had 
lusKomam  icverium  .,,       .    ^     .  ■' i     t      i-   ?      r    i  /  ;/     r 

g{^g  tlmmtnatedmany  with  the  light  of  the  word  ^  and  had 

(h) Ariftobulum  quo-  coyiflitiited  Churches,  hee  ord.tinedBiJhoj>s,  Treshjtersy 
que  cuius  ipfe  in  epi-  Deacons  returning  to  Rome  the  1 2.  yer  of  Nero  Cefar  : 
flola  ad  Romano s  }jere  were  the  feverall  degrees  of  dignities.  Again 
tnemmtt  britanno-  j^  ^.^^j^^^  AriftobulHS  Jh)  whom  "Paul  mentions  in 
rum     epilcopum     a  ,  .     _   ./,,  ,     -n  ,  r  1  ■    r 

paiilo  ordmitum  in  ^^'•''  Eptjrie  to  the  Romanes,  and  was  one  of  hts  feventy 
Menxis  Gvxcorum. 'Difiiples,  him  Paul  ordained  Bhifhop  ofthelBriitains, 
"Vi'her  fol.  9.  (^This  was  a  large  Parifh^  Next  he  relates  mai  y 

(i)  Vfhcr  fol.  M- fliverfities  ofopinions concerning /o/^r^ of ^r/>^^fj[>jf<e 
Jijcetnoc  fuille  vcriim  ,  .%_•       ■     r      *     j  /■  \      j  tj         l         //        r 

(quod  tamcn  non  fu-  ^'^  being  m  Engtand,  (t)  and  concludes,  that  although 

It)  non  fequitur  ero-o  it  "^ere  true  (^vi  hich  it  was  notj  yet  it  follows  not  that 
qu  d  tecum  folium  therefore  all  the  land  had  received  the  faith  \  for  it 
illudlufcepitfidem.  might  be  difperft  amongft  private  perfons,  but  was 
(k)  I  ubJice  vero  pri-  j^^^^,^  received  by  the  whole  kir  gdcme,  nor  came  they 
mum    Tub    Luao  &  .„.     •'.,,        ,         ...  ,^     .       '.  .  ^ 

Plutheno   receptum  ^^  have  Chriitian  Churches  till  Lncms  time,  as  is  con- 

hic  fuilfe  Fvangeli-  feft  by  that  reverend  Bifhop,  (k^)  'That  the  Gofpel  was 
um  confentiens  no- frfl  publiquelj  received  here  under  Lucius  and  Eluthe  - 
ftrorum  hiftencorum  ^^y^^^  ^-^^^  which  accords  Mailer  Fox  in  his  Martyrs; 
M    ,  r  1  ^  That f/om Peter f  Anno 6 <^.  after  Chrifi ,Elutherius  war 

( 1 )  Afts  and  Monu-  the  tvoelfih  fucceffiv^  'Bifhop  of  Rome,  who  about  Anno 
mentsfol.34.Hieron.  \6\.  fent  Fu^acius  or  Fuganus,  and  Dimianus  or1>^~ 
lib.de  viris  illuftr.  ry^utinn^  which  converted  frfl  the  King  and  people  of 
Irxneus  lib  3 .  cap.  3 .  q^^ftain,  and haptiz.ed  them  with  the  'Baptifme  and  Sa- 
Aces  and  Monumets  r  ,^1     cl   r  ■  1     -r-i    ^t'        1       rri  t  1 

fol   107  Vflier  i',[it.^^^^^^'tof  ChrtSts  faith.  The  Temples  of  Idolatry  and 

ecclcf.   priraord.  fol-  all  other  Monuments  of  Gentility  they  fubverted-,  con- 

54.  &5?.  verting  the  people  from  their  divers  andmany  Gods  to 

ferue  one  living  God :  There  were  in  "Brittam  28.  head 

Pr lefts  3     which   they  caB:d  Flamines,     and  three 

Arch' 


To  the  Reader^ 

Archpriejls  which  they  called  Archflummes  JjAving  the 
•verfight  of  manners^  and  04  fudges.  Thofe  z%.TUmtnes 
they  turned  ta  iS.  Bifhops,  and  the  three  Archfiamynes 
to  three  ^rch^tjhops y  having  their  feats  in  three  prin- 
cipall  Cities :  which  being  Mafter  FtfA' his  own  words 
according  with  the  Bifliop,  (rri)  you  may  obfervc  how  ^"^^  ^^^  ^'^^-  ^°"^^* 
a  lyar  confounds  himfelf ;  for  he  firft  fays.  The  Church 
of  England  wa^  governed  fame  hundred  yeers  without 
Bijhops  from  the  firFl  plantation :  and  in  the  next  line 
he  difprovcs  himfelf.  That  in  the  infiant  of  the  cenver- 
fionofthe  Church,  and  fupplantation-  of  idolatry  were 
planted  bifhops ,  from  whence  he  concludes  an  excel- 
lent Argument :  Becaufe  they  were  inftituted  by  ElU'  . 
therius  the  twelfth  fucceflive  B'fliop  of  Rome  from  the 
Apoftle  Peter  (  Non  intcr^'-m^ferie  )  Converted  the 
people  to  the  true  God  iubvertcd  idolatty,  and  flip- 
planted  the  heathen  Priefts  ;  Ergo  They  are  of  Ethnicall 
or  Dtabolicall^not  Apofleltcall  infittution. 

Truly  (Header  J  I  have  fpent  too  much  time  on  him, 
but  it  is  to  admonidi  the  vulgar  with  the  Apoftle  PauC, 
to  flop  their  ears  againft  fuch  Libellers,  and  (n)  Not 
to  give  heed  to  fables  :  The  end  of  the  Commandement  {^  ^  Tim.verf.  4f.  6. 
if  Ch  trity  out  of  a  pure  heart,  and  of  a  good  (^onfcience^ 
ai$d  offatth  unfatned,  from  which  fome  have  fwerved 
unto  vain  ] an gling^.de firing  to  be  teaehers  of  the  Law y 
undsr^anding  neither  what  they  fay  ^  nor  whereof  they 
ajji'rmed.  I  do  it  to  pcrfwade  fome  able  Divine  ('not  to 
mifpend  time  to  anfwcr  the  matter  of  their  Pamphlets, 
butj  that  it  will  be  time  well  fpent  to  difcover  the  falf^ 
hood  oi-  fuch  faucie-untaught-tcachers,  as  here  the  A- 
^poftlefpeaks  ofj  todifplay  iheir  mifquotations,  and 
dil^ortions  of  Scripture. 

It  is  the  bert  and  quickeft  plea  to  take  away  the  te- 
ftimony  of  a  falfe  witnefTe,  to  prove  him  formerly  per-  ^ 
jur'd.   And  in  this  point ,  the  works  of  fuch  perfons 
thorowdy  traced ,  they  will  bcft  be  rendrcd  de^icablc 
to  the  world. 

For  though  the  Prophefie  of  Saint  P^ffl,  (0)  That  the  (o)  z  m.  4. 5 
b  2  time 

h 


To  ttie  Reader. 

time  reillc^mevohok  they  will  notcn^me  fhtiftddo^riftCt 
^Ht  after. th^iv  own  l-'jls  [hall  they  h-  ■>f  up  to-ihsm^tves 
teachets,  having  itchm^eates^and ; h?y jhdl tmn-.r«}aj 
thek  ears  from  the  truth  ■^ndjhall  he  tivnednnto  fut^es 
is  in  thcfe  d^yei  moft  evidently  manifffte  d  '^f  tnmy, 
yet  c'uanty  forbids  \h\o  cenfurc  all  .o  feek  untruth  io  r; 
its  own  lake,  many  no  doubt  are  deluded  witii  that 
fpccies  of  truth,  which  (the  pretended  though  abus'd 
quotations  of  Scripture)  th-  y  (luflfc  their  books  with- 
al! carr/V  J"  with  it,  which!  dare  promifeany  man  that 
will  take  pains  to  examine  will  fcarce  finde  patience  to 
read  anymore  of  them. 

Reader,  I  have  wandered  too  long  from  thee,  but 
now  return  not  to  beg  thy  approbation,  ( I  Court  no 
mans  j  but  to  advife  thee  for  thine  own  fake  :  That  be- 
ing falfhood  is  fo  bold  to  ofl^r  to  outface  truth  in  pirnt 
tolctaliwhifpereddctradions  f  from  which  no  Good, 
vvorkis  free^  be  rejected  by  thee,  and  receive  and 
weigh  thcfe  following  truths  of  the  manner  of  procu- 
ring the  fubfcriptions,  and  the  reafons  of  prefenting 
that  Remonftrance,  the  carriage  whereof  is  teftified 
the  contents  avowed  by  thy  friend  if  thou  art  eitlier 
afrecmaaor  a  Proteftant. 


THO^ayiSTOH^ 


REMONSTRANCE 

REPRESENTED  TO  THE  HOVSE  OF 
Pcets,bySir  /HOM^^  JSTON 

Baronet  from  divers  Noblemen,and  Gen- 
tlemca.  of  the  County-Palatine  of 
CHESTER,    againft     PRES- 
BYTERIAN     Government. 


To  the  High  and  Honoitrahle  Cottrt  of  Parlkmem^ 

The    T^jbilit^! Knights  Gentry  MinifUrs^Free- 

hof^lderSy  and InhAbittinU ofthe  Countie^Palatine 

ofCh^dcrtvhofe  names  are^uhfcribedinthefe- 

njerall  Schedules  hervnio  annev^d 

mTnf>lj  Sh^r» 

THat  v\hereas  divers  Petitions  have  lately  been 
carried  about  this  Country,  againft  the  prefenf 
fprm  of  Church-Government  (  and  the  hands  of 
many  perfons  of  ordniary  quality  folicitcd  to  the 
fame,  with  pretence  to  be  prefented  to  this  honourable 
Aflcmbly  )  whirl i  we  conceiving  not  fo  mdth  to  ayme 
at  reformat  on,  as  abf  nutc  Innovation  of  Government, 
andfuch  asmul^  give  a  greatadvantage  tothesdver- 
farics ->f  out  R^-iigion,  v.e  held  it  our  duty  to  difavow 
the;-  all :  A.ud  •  rnbly  pray,  hat  we  incurre  no  mif- 
ctnfure^  if  anyfuch  clamours  V-«ve  without  our. privi- 
tie)  afruitied  the  name  of  the  Coufi*  y . 

We  ^i  others,  are  fanrble  of  cheCc4T»mon  grievan^ 
ces  ofch7-K.ni^d6me3and  h^^c  juftcaufe  to  rejoyce  at 

a-da 


The  Remoftftrancc. 
(a)  Wee  conceived  it  an^j  acknowledge  with  thankfulncffe  the  pious  care' 
not  proper  tor  us  by  which  ts  ^he^dv  taken  forthefuppreflingof  the  growth 
::i:l6Si:r^Z  Z  <>(  Popery  thebettcrfuppIyo/ableMinift«s,and.he 
way  of  fubmifllonto  removing  of  all  Innovnuon,  and  we  doubt  not  but  in 
leave  thefe  to  the  your  great  wifdomcs,  (a)  you  will  regulate  the  rigour 
ludgement   of    the  of  Ecclefiafticall  Courts  to  fuit  with  the  temper  of  our 

rbT^hili'"i'  r.  ^^"^'^  ^^'"^  ^^'^  "^^"'^  of  freemen. 

I  Tmi.  ?.  I.    '  Yet  \vhen  we  confidcr  that  Bifliops  were  inftitu!tcd 

(c;)Anno.    Bifhops.  in  the  time  of  the,  y^poftlcs  (^j.That  they  were  the 

^30.  at  Nice.     3^^ 'great    Lights  of  the  Church,  in  all  the  firft  general! 

380.  at  Conftam.  150  toimcdhJcJTf^zt  fo  many  of  them.fowed  the  Cecds 

45i.'atSalcedon.43o  of  Religion  in  their  bloods,  andrefcued  Chriftianity 

5y3.3tConftant.i<^5  fiom  utte:  extirpation  in  the  Primitive  heathen  perfe< 

<?8i.  at  Conftant.  2-89  cutions,  (^) ;  Thar  tQ  them  we  owe  the  redemption  ot 

781.     at  Nice.   350  thepuriry  of ':heGofpel  we  now  profcfle  from  Ro- 

870.  at  Conftant.  383  n^jQ^  corruntion,  (e)   That  many  of  them  for  the  pro. 

(d)  Vid.Ei  febius  Fox  pag^^^tion  of  rhat  truth ,  became  l^ch  glorious  Martyrs; 

("e  wTbooke  of  (fJ-  That  divers  of  them(iatelyand)  yet  hving  with  us. 

Martyrs.     Craniner  have  been  fo  great  affertors  of  our  Religion  againfl  its 

Tutor  to  Ed.  <^.  common  enemy  ofHome ;  (g).  Aiid  that  their  govern- 

(f)A  B.  Cranmer,  j^gj-j^  hath  been  fo  long  approved ,  Co  oft  eftablifhed 

BHoref'^i  Par?.  ^^-^^  Common  and  Statut  Laws  of  this  Kingdome, 

A  BParker' A.B  Gri.  W-  And  as  yet  nothing  in  their  dodlrine  f  generally 

B.Whitegifc,  &:c.vid.  taught)    difTonant  from  the  word  of  God,    orthg 

booke  of  martyrs.     Articles  eftablifhed  by  Law :  (i)  Li  this  cafe  to  cal  theif 

(g)  Biftiop  lewel,        Gouernmen^;  a  perpetuaH  vaflalage,  an  intolerable  boo 

Hft^op  Whi^ter*^^'       ^^8^  '    ^"^   (  P^^^^  facie,   &  inauditaalttra^^n^ 

Archbiftiop  Vflicr,      to  pray  the  prefent  rcmovall  of  them  ;  or  (asinforaf 

Bifhop  Moreton,       of  their  petitions  )  to  feek  the  utter  diflblution,  anu 

Bi{hop  Davenant,       niine  of  their  offices(as  Antichriflian/l)  vvc  cannotcon^ 

neca°Biflfo    HaU^^'  <^eive  to  reUim  of  Juftice  or  Charity,  nor  can  we  joytj 

(h)Braaon^ib.V*       ^^^^^them.  ■ 

fol. '  06.  Flet.  a  lifa.  7.       But  on  the  contrary ,  when  we  confider  the  tcnour 

24.  Coo.  Little,  fol.  of fuch  writings,  as  in  the  name  ot  petitions  are  fpread 

97.  134.    ftat     14.  amongft  the  common  people,  the  tenents preached 

H.S.zo.i.gq.Eli   P^'^^quely  in  Pulpits,  [m\  and  the  contents  of  many 

i)*  Parriucular  menj  printed  Pamphlets  fsvarming  araongft  us ;  all  of  them 

(crrours    cannot  be  dangeroufiy  exciting  a  difobedience  to  thccftablifhed 

aken  for  the  Tenets  formC 

of  the  Church.   (1)  The  petition  annexed,  note^.     C™)  Thepofitions  annexed, 
note?.". 


fbfm*  of  goucrnmeut,  and  tbe" v  fctcra//  ''nrimatinns  ^ 

of  the  dcfirc  of  the  power  of  the  kcyes,   (yi)  And  that 
their  congregations  may  cxeciitc  EcclefiarticalJ  Cen- 
fures  withni  therafelves ;  {o)  We  cannot  but  expreffe  (")  Petition  anexd| 
ourjuft  tears,  that  thpir  defire  is  to  introduce  an  abfo-  ^^^^f^  .  . 
lute  Innovation  of  Presbyteriall  Government,  where-  ^c    i"^!"  ^"^ 
by  v\'e  who  arc  now  governed  by  the  Canon  and  Ci- 
rill  Laws,  difpenfed  by  twenty  fix  Ordinaries  (cafly 
lefponfalitoParhaments  for  an;-  deviation  f  cm  the 
rule  of  Law  )  conceive  wc  fliould  become  expofed  to 
the  mcer  Arhitrary  Goverment  of  a  numerous  Pres- 
bytery, who  together  with  their  luHng  Elders,  wil 
arife  to neerc  forty  thoufand  Church  Governoursj 
and  with  their  adherents  ,  muft  needs  bear  fo  great 
a  fway  in  the  Common-wealth  that  if  future  incon- 
venience /hall  be  found  in  that  governmcntj  we  hum- 
Wy  offer  to  confideration,  how  thele  fliall  be  reduci- 
ble by  Parliaments,   hotv  confident  with  a  Monar- 
chie,and  how  dangeroufiy  conducible  to  an  Anarchie,^ 
which  wc  have  iuil  caufc  to  pray  againft  ,  as  fearing 
the  confequenccs  would  prone  the  utter  lofTe  of  Lear- 
ning and  Laws, which  mufi  neceffarily  produce  an 
extermination  of  Nobility,  Gentry,  and  Order ,  if  not 
ofReligion. 

.  With  what  vehemenci«Pof  fpirit ,  thefe  thins/  arc 
profccutcd,  and  how  plaufibly  fnch  popular  infufions 
^read  as  incline  to  a  parity,  wc  held  it  our  duty  to  rcpre 
fent  to  this  honourable  AflenV  ly ;  And  humbly  pr  y 
that  fome  fuch  prefent  courfebe  taken,  as  in  your 
wifdomf  /hall  be  thought  fit,  to  fupprefTethe  fiiturc 
di^crfing  of ^ich  dangerous  difcontents  amongft  the 
common  people  ;  we  having  great  caufe  to  fear ,  that 
of  all  the  diftempers  that  at  prefent  threaten  the  w  ell- 
fare  of  this  ftate  ,  there  is  none  more  w^orthy  the  ma- 
ture and  grave  confideration  of  this  honourable  Affem 
bly,  then  to  flop  the  torrent  of  fuch  Spirits,  behove  they/^ 
fwell  beyond  the  bounds  of  Government,  Then  we 
doubt  net  but  his  Majcftie  pcrfeyeri»g  ia  his  gracious 

nicli- 


inclination  to  hcare  tbe  complaints  and ,  relieve  the 
grievances  of  his  Subjects  infrequent  Parhamcnts,  it 
vvill  fo  unite  the  head  and  the  body,  To  indiffolubly  ce- 
ment the  alfc£tions  of  his  people  to  our  Royall  Sover- 
aigne,  that  without  any  other  change  of  Government, 
he  can  never  want  Revenue,  nor  wee  Jultice. 

We  have  prcfumed  to  annex  a  Copie  of  a  Petition(or 
Xibell)  difperfed,  and  certain  pofitions  preach'd 
in  this  County,  which  we  conceive  imply  matter 
of  dangerous  confcqi;ejic€  to  the  peace  both  of 
Church  and  S.  ate:  All  which  we  humbly  fub- 
mit  to  your  great  Judgements,  praying  they  may 
be  read, 

And  {laall  ever  pray,  Sec 

Dire6ledto  thehoufeof  Peeres, 

Andfubfcribed  by  the  Lieutenant  of  the  County. 

Three  other  Noblemen. 

Knights  Baronets,   Knights,  and  Efquircs, 
fourfcore  and  cdde. 

Divines  fourfcore  andtcn. 

Gentlemen,  two  huftdied  threefcore  and  oddc. 

Freeholders  and  other  inhabitants,  above  fix 
thoufand  ; 

Ncnc  of  them  Popilli  R-ecufants, 

\  And  ^1'  '^f  'V"' r^'^"'  .^^  -•.3, •- 


The  Petition  which  was  fpread  abroad  ia 

the  Countrie  amongft  the  Common  people^by 

fomc  private  Perfons   to  procure  hands ,  but  was 

concealed  from  the  Gcnlric  ;  A  Copy  whereof 

was  annexed  to  the  Remonftrance,  and  was 

€ omptaintd  Qf-%  having  tnjuriofijly  a^H mt  d 
the  Name  of  the  BuwblePetition  of  the 
Free  holders,  And  the  refl  of  the  In- 
habitants Tvithin  the  Co»»ti^  cf 
Cbefter  (yvhicb  m-ghtfeeme  to 
invohe  thewtcU  duntie,) 

Sheweth, 

^  Hat  whereas  the  manifold  unfuppoi  table  bur- 
dens wherewithal  onr  Confcicnccs  and  eftates 
have  beene  long  oppreffcd,  with  a  ccminuall 
incrcafc  thvjreof ,  1  ave  at  iaft  fo  lyrcd  and  in- 
fecbled  our  ftrength ,  that  we  find  our  felves  unsblc  to 
fubfift  any  longer  under  the  weight  thereof:  wee  dare 
not  now  neglcifl  to  take  the  prefent  opporti!nitie  of 
jerving  the  Lords  providence  in  the  ufe  of  this  meancs, 
which  we  hope  ts  of  his  owne  appoynting  for  our  rc^- 
liefe  :  But  as  we  have  in  fome  mcafure  implored  God, 
who  is  the  blefied  Author  ;fo  wee  thoui,ht  cur  felvc$ 
bound  humbly  to  Petition  this  honourable  and  renow- 
ned Aflcmbly(  convened  in  Parliamentjfjr  redrcffc  of 
our  mifcries ,  being  the  likelyefl:  inftrument,  fo  farrc  as 
we  apprehend  (not  limiting  the  Holy  one  of  Ifrae/ ) 
for  that  end  and  purpofe ,  which  wc  humbly  pray  may 
be  duly  confidered,  as  we  make  bold  to  tender  them  in 
thefe  fewXines  following. 

Ounmiferies  are  fuch  as  arc  either  EcclcMicalor  Gi* 
vill  ;  firft  Eccle{iafticall,«nd  that  inregard  of  the  ufur- 
ping  Prelates ,  their  lawlefle  dependent  oiBcers,  and 
their  irregular  manner  of  woifhippingGodprelcribcd 

a  unto 


A 


unto,  and  cruelly  impofed  upon  us  by  them :  forts  tea. 
ching  the  Prelates  thcmfelvcs,  wc  conceive  them  to  be 
the  Tofes  SuhsittHtes  (per  uccidens)  at  thf  Irafi^ ,  if  not 
by  folemne  covcnmted  allegiance  t  as  it  may  appear C  by 
their  Lording  it  over  Gods  heritage ,  both  Paftors  and 
People  ,  andajfuming  the  power  of  the  Kejer  enelj  to 
ihemfehes^  Contrary  to  Gods  facred  word . 

Therefore  wc  humbly  Petition  you  this  honourable 
Affcrnbly  ,  as  you  tender  the  gloric  of  God,  the  Kings 
Prerogative,  the  Sub;  edls  liber  tie,  the  purity  of  Gods 
facred  Ordinances,  and  the  welfare  of  Pofteritic,  or 
wiili  the  downfall  of  Antichrift  and  bis  adherents, 
toftirreupthe  zeale  and  ft  rength  wherewith  the  Lord 
bach  endued  you,  and  courag'oufly  proceed  (  unto 
your  immortall  praife)  againft  thefc  hli  mightie  e.ne^ 
mies  ,  atjd  fecrtt  tindermtmrf  of  the  good  eft  Ate  of  our 
Chuy-ih  and  Common-wealth  ,  and  utterly  dijfolve  their 
Offices,  which  give  Ife  to  the  moll  fupcrftitions  praAi- 
k%  in  or  about  the  worlliip  of  God  :  And  (b  together 
with  the  mine  of  their  ^nttchrifiian  Ojfces  and  Govern- 
ment ^  wc  alfo  humbly  pray  may  fall  to  the  ground  their 
imp'ous  Courts,  with  all  their  dependant  Officers, 
(^evcnf  rom  the  Chancellors  to  the  Parators)  their  cor- 
rupt Canons yhooke  of  Articles  ,  the  Enghfh  refined 
Mafe-ifookf  of  Common  Praj/er,  with  all  their  popidi 
'fignificant  Ceremonies  therein  contained ;thcftriftim- 
pofing  whereofjhath  driven  out  of  this  our  EngliQi  Na- 
tion many  of  our  moft  godly  and  able  Minifters,  and' 
otV<er  hisMajeftiesloyall  Subjcfls,able  both  for  per- 
fon  and  cftatc  to  have  done  good  fervice  to  God ,  our 
^King  and  Countries 

Segondly  our  Civill miferies  are  chitfely  thefe, 

Firft,  TW  the  tenths  of  all  our  goods  fhould^bee  tdJ(eft' 
/rtfwi«^byParfons,  Impropriators,  and  in  feme  places 
by  Recufants,  under  a  pretence  of  maintaining  the  Mi- 
nifterie  •  and  yet  notwithftanding  wee  forced  in  divers 
places  to  msiintaine  aMiniftcric  out  of  the  reft  of  our 

cftatcs. 


(3) 

cftatcjjifwc  will  have  «ny,  and  to  rcpaire  our  Chur- 
ches, which  have  bccnc  of  hto  very  cxccfllve  and  fu- 
pcrftitious. 

Secondly,  That  Sutes  in  L4w  are  fo  long  u  ^nccelTa- 
rily  detained  in  Civil  C*»rf/ before  judgement  be  had, 
wherby  divers  pcrfons  have  their  eftates  utterly  ruined, 
and  others  much  decayed. 

Thirdly,  ThattheOathin  Courts  Leet  and  'Baron  u 
ufually  adminifticd  without  limitation ,  and  before  the 
charge  be  given,  fo  that  the  jHrors  cannot  fwca  re  in 
judgement  as  the  Lord  requires  they  (liould. 

Fourthly,  That  the  Countie  C'onrt  isf  kept  upon  the 
Munday,ancl  thereby  we  are  put  unto  cxccffive  charges 
in  travelling  thereto,  unlefiewee  iliould  labour  upon 
the  Lords  day  next  before. 

Fiftly,  that  our  Councric  is  verie  d«:ftitute  offftfficient 
Schoolemajlers^ov  the  educating  of  our  Children  ,  ani 
fitting  them  for  the  fcrvice  of  God ,  our  King,and  Com- 
mon-wealc. 

Sixtly,  that  there  are  fuch  exceffivefinesby  Corns 
Gentlemen  impofed  upon  their  Tcnants,as  chat  thereby 
they  arc  both  difabled  to  maintainc  their  families, 
/whence  arifeth  fg  many  poore  people  )  and  to  doe  his 
Majcftiefervice,  and  pay  him  lawfull  tribute. 

Therefore  that  the fe  of  r  grievances  both  EccUfa^all 
and Civill  tnaj  be redreffe^Land  that  the  conirarie pri' 
vileges  yfhich  Chrijl  hath  pUrchafed  andcommar.dedits 
tofiand  Mnto^maj  be  obtained  and  eflabli/hed  j 

WEe  mofi  humbly  beg  that  the  revealed  rvillof  God 
contained  in  the 'Books  of  the  OldandNeiv  Tejia" 
ments,  and  recorded fer  our  praElife  in  the  dajes  of  the  gof- 
pell^may  be  that  %uleyphich  your  Honors  v^ould  be  plea  fed 
to  follow,  0  yvhat glory  vohU  it  be  unto  our  godyour  King 
and  Nation^  what  beauty  unto  our  Church^what  honor  uh* 
'to  this  2{pble  Parliament ,    ar, d  vohat  confujion  to  the  enem 

a  2  wier 


(4) 

miffafhtxA^ajefyaitdioyallSuhjeStr  :  if  wee  might  fet 
themorall  DoEirinc  of  the  Prophets  and  Apojtles  made  old 
^  Englands  Canons  •  then  might  our  LMinifiers  have  U' 
ben  J  to  preach  Qods  i»orfd ,  and  adminifier    the  Sacra- 
ments according  to  the  mind  of  ChritV ,   and  our  C'>^S^^ 
gatioft  power  to   execute  Ecclcfiafticall  Qenfures  within 
themfelves :  Then  might  his  Majcfties  Subjcds  meete  togC" 
thtr ,  Httd  pray  for  the  King  and  <3^Cnc  and  their  Pofie- 
rity  ,  without  punijhme»t  and  falfe  Calumniation.  O  this 
would  make  our  peace  with  God ,  and  good  men  ;  thii  would 
gain t  our  friendr  ^  and  fcatter  our  enemies  ;  This  would 
mjikf  o.^rL^ndimpregnal^le,  and  our  Souldiers  cauragea' 
hie  ^Th:s  would  unite  cur  JUln^domc  in  peace  y  andcaufrm 
and  our  littUonesto  Jlee^pe  pt  fafetji  -^This  wonldcal  biicke 
the  hanifjed ,  and rcleafe  the  Lords  tmprifened :  this  would 
advance  cur  Mprdccais,  ^nd  harg  our  wicked  Hamans  : 
This  would  replant  our  confcionahle  L^iinijiers  ,  and  fup-' 
flant  eur  L^trdly  PreUcy:  Thiiwotdd  take  ^WJJ  illegaSex^ 
aBionsy  andhring  ou*-  people  to  due  (u^je6lion  :  this  would 
fakc'away  extorted  Hifrmrj.cxccflivc  Fincs,<«»<!/ unlimi- 
ted Boones  j  for  it  would  learn  land-Lords  more  compafm 
fianyand  Tenants  due  fubmifsion  lyea,    this  would  Tnakea 
ftvieete  Harmony.  Iretwixt  Kalc  and Ohtdicnce   »«  aJl  %e' 
lations ,  •  !         " 

which  th.it  it  mij  now  happily  he  effeS}ed,we  earnefily 
implore  the  Lord  of  F^ven  to  (rend  your  nohlefpirits 
to  this  great  ryor^of^odywhich  fofweetly  u-Jhereth  al 
other  comforts, 

Andfo  we  Jhall  ever  pray  y&e. 


THE 


(S) 

The  Pofitioni  annexed  alfo  to  the  Remonllrance. 

Ccrtainc  Pofitions  preached  at  St.  lohns  Church  in 
Chejfer  by  Mr.  Samuel  Eaton  a  Minifter  lately  returned 
from  new  ETgland.upcxi  Sunday  being  the  third  day  of 
lanuarj  \  ^40.  in  the  aftcrnoone. 


Flrft,  That  the  names  ofFarfons  anti  y tears  are  Anti'  j^ 
chrifiian, 

2.  The  Pt^fio^s  and  Teachers  of  particular  Congrega- 
tions, muft  be  chofen  by  the  people ,  or  elfe  their  en- 
trance is  not  lawfull. 

3.  That  all  things  which  are  of  Humane  invention  in 
the  vorf^ip  of  God  (under  which  he  feemed  chiefly  tocont^ 
prehendthebookjf  Common  prayer ,  and  the  rites  and  Ce- 
remonies therein  prefcribe^d)  are  unfav^ry  andloathfoyne 
unto  God, 

4,  That  Eccleflajlicallcenfures  of  admonition  and  Ex- 
■  communication ,   ou^t  to  be  exercifed  by  particular  conm 
gregations  within  themfelves. 

5.  That  the  people  fhould  not  fuffer  this  power  to  bee 
rpre^edout  of  their  hands  ^andufurped  by  the  Bijh^ps, 

6»  That  the  fupreame  power  in  Church  matters ,  next^ 
under  Chrifi^  « J»  the  Church ^mtaning  (as  he  clearly  ex- 
plained himfelfe)  particular  Con^egations  ;  for  h:  denied 
all  liationall  f  Provinciall,  an  dT^iocefan  Churches  ^  as. 
Tvettoi  Bi/hops,  and  fo  expounded  that  text.  Math.  1 8.G0 
tell  the  Church,«Scc  of  particular  Congregations ,  or  at 
we  call  them  parochiall  Churches, 

7.  That  all  good  people  [hifuid pray  earnefily  unto  God, 
and  not  ceafe  to  petition  the  Parliament  for  the  raK.i»g  of 
the  old  foundation  (meaning  as  he  plainly  dtfcoverod  him~ 
felfe)  the  abolilbing  of  Epifcopall  Government ,   and. 
thceftablilhing  of  their  new  Presbyterian  Difcipline ; 

a  3  at- 


(6) 

4t*^Aifo  for  the  f  urging  ad  filth  and  Cerem9niei  cut  of  the 

houfe  of  Qod, 

8.  That  they  that  put  not  to  their  hand  to  helpe  forward 
tha  workfy  majiujily  feare  that  lurft  proKOUtteed  againjl 
Meroz  .  Judges  j .  Curje  yooi  Mcroz  ,  hecAufe  they  come 
not  to  he/pe  the  Lord  againfihis  mighty  enemief^  &  there 
he  exfrefij  ealltdtke  Bi^jpft  the  mighty  entmtes  of  God 
and  hU  (%Hrch. 


Ccrtayn  other  Pofitions  preach,  d  by  the  fame  man 
ac  Knuttesford  a  great  market  To wne  in 
the  fame-County. 

7^  *TpHat^f^>7  particular  Congregation  is  anahfolute 

X   Church  y  and  is  to  have  all  ordinances  and  officers 

•within  it  felfe  y  the  mtmbers  of  it  muB he one/y  Saints; 

.ihefe  mufi  enter  Covenant  amottgfi  themfelves^  and  with  - 

out  fuch  a  Qovenamt  no  Church. 

1  o.  That  the  power  of  the  Kejes  ii  committed nejther 

to  the  Paftors  nor  Governours  ,  hut  to  t he  whole  ^'engre^ 

gat  ion ,  and  to  every  particular  memher  of  the  fame  j  and 

.  Chriji  having  committed  them  to  every  one ,    rvould  of  e- 

very  one  demaund  an  account  of  them,  audtherfore  char' 

»■  ged the  people, oi  they  Would anfwtr  it  at  the  dxeadfull  day 

of  judgment  ^to  keep  the  keyes  among^  themselves  ^  and  not 

to  juffcr  any  authority  to  wrefi  them  out  of  their  hands, 

11.7  hat  it  ii  au  heynous  fin  to  be  prefent  rvhstt  prayers 

j^     Mire  read  out  of  a  'Book^either  by  the  Minifier  or  any  other. 

By  which,  and  other  fueh  Do<?lrincs ,  many  of  the 
common  people  are  brought  into  that  odium  of 
the  Book  of  common  prayer,  that  divers  of  them 
will  not  come  into  the  Churchy  during  the  time  of 
Divine  Service.   , 

T  H  E 


T 


(7  J 

Be  fprtadingof  the  forefaii  Petition^  andthe  fub^ 
X  it  eke  and  frequent  preaching  of  thefe  And  fuch  like 
feditioHi  *Do^rineSihaving  flirdHpa  generalldifcontent 
in  many  common  pe/>pie ,  divert  of  the  Gei^try  wit  befit 
any  (inifier  refpeti  vthatfoevfr^  but  only  out  of  a  cars  of  the 
pHhUcke  peace,  (being  thereunto  induced  by  the  preftdenti 
o/London  WEflcx  ,  into  which  the  Lords  h^d  formerly 
direEled  order  t  for  fupprefsion  of  fuch  dtford(rs)did  hum^ 
hly  dejire  the  ear/eofDitby,Lord  Lietitenaat  of  the  Coun- 
ij  to  ioyneina  Remonfirance  of  the  diflempers  likelyr 
to  enfue,  and  to  reprefent  the  fame  to  the  honfe  of  Peeress^ 
praying  their  care  for  prevention  thereof. 


.,v>'-»>  n*?^*^  rfWaU^^ 


THc  Remonft  rancc  becing  rcfolvcd  of,  upon  a  con- 
fcrcnceofmahy  of  the  Gentlemen  of  the  Gountty, 
feme  Divines  were  Cent  unto  ,  to  know  if  they  would- 
iovneinfubfGriptienwiththcGentry.and  for  the  clear 
carriage  and  quick  difpatch,fcvcrall  Letters  were  fent 
into  the!  fcvcral  hundreds,di  reded  to  fome  of  the  prin-- 
cpal  luftices  therewith  copies  of  all  incloled,  to  pro- 
cure the  fubfcriptions  of  their  neighbor  Jiood, all  of  the: 
fome  contents , and  fubfcribed  by  thofe  few  who  under- 
writ  this  following,  becing  foureteenc  pcrfons  of. 
quality. 

Gentlemen; 

VPon  conCtderationofthe  copy  of  a  Petition  inclofed] 
from  the  Freeholders  of  this  County  rvhtcb  hath  been 
rpread  abroad  and  figned  bjmany  hands ,  wee  conceive  if 
would  much  refieB  upon  the  Comtr^j  to  Ut  tt  paptn^  tSe- 
names  of  the  Qo^ntie  withattt  any  prottffatton  agatnSl  tt 
becing  not  onely  clamorons  againfi  the  govfrnemcnt  of^ 


(8; 

ChuYckandStAte^  butagainflcftr  Comtrj  infarticHtar: 

And  beeing  theJhortnef[e  of  time  Vfotildnet  permit  a  gene 
rail  meetings  jet  ptch  as  vcee  have  confitltedboth  with  Di' 
vines  and  others  are  f  leafed  to  approve  if  the  coppy  mcio^ 
fed :  Thsrtforefor  thefpeedydifpatchofityVie  have  thoHght 
ft  to  fen/feveraU(foppies  into  the  fever  all  hundreds  ,  in^ 
treating  that  you  will  be  pleafed  to  ajfemble  or  fend  nnto  aS 
the  Gentrij  of  your  hundred,  and  fmh  *Diviites  as  yeucon^ 
eelvewiUjoynetnit  ^  and  foTw  »f  the  chiefs  Free^holders 
hefi3ren>£dnrfdayitext ,  andfgne  the  Paper  annexed  to 
the  P  etitionwtth  as  mxny  hands  of  qftality  as  you  can  get^ 
ani  return!  them  to  'f^QXmXvjiXvherevoee  fhall fame  of  us 
meets  and  annex  them  all  to  the  originull  itfelfe  nhichwee 
have  figned'^ard  will fo  fend  it  up  to  bee  preferred:  the 
difpatch  is  th;  life  of  the  bufnejfe.  Wee  hope  no  mun  will 
be  flac\  in  that  fa  much  e  oncer  nes  the  Country,  So  we  reft 
yoptr  V  try  loving  friends , 

We  defir^  that  you  Vfould  be  pleafed  not  to  let  any 
poppies  be  taken ^andretume  it  on  Thurfday  next 
at  farthest  J  and  let  no  PapiB  fubfcribe  ivhatfo" 
ever.  January  30.  16^0 

The  Dirc(5tion  or  Supcrfcription :  To  the  Right 
Honourable  the  L^Brer^ton,  Mr.Dodor  Dod,  and  Henry 
Aiainwayring  Eiquire,  or  one  of  them ;  and  to  others  the 
Gentlemen  ot  the  Hundred  of  Northwich, 

This  publikc  carriage,  7  hope,  will  fatisfie  all  inge- 
nious men  how  injurious  fuch  clamours  have  beene,  as 
pretended  undue  pra6l;ifcs  toprocure  Subfcriptions. And 
if  fome  few  timorous  people  by  pretence  of  trouble 
have  beene  frighted  to  rctrad  their  former  Subscripti- 
ons, 9  pre  fume  no  j'udicious  man  will  Conceive  it  cither 
to  refltB  on  the  (7««^7,ordif- value  the  fubftance  of  the 
Remon^r  ance» 


The  Preface. 


1 S  a  time  of  Ceniures  5  nor 
actions  nor  perlons  fcapc  (  if 
perhaps )  the  power,  (yet  not) 
the  tongues  of  men  J  certainly 
the  Goofe- Quill  did  never 
more  licentioufly,  lefle  ci- 
villy bedabbl  eboth  times  and 
perfons. 
No  aftion  ( of  fo  pure  intention ;  hath  beene 
more  befpatter'd  than  the  deliverie  of  this  Re. 
monftrance :  No  man  with  more  confidence^lelTe 
caufe,  hath  beene  more  miftaken,  mifle-cenfured 
than  my  felfe.  Yet  fome  I  prefume  thathave  now 
feenethofe  Motives,  which  before  they  did  not, 
are  fatisfied  5  there  was  juft  caufe  for  us  to  cora- 
plaine,  none  for  them  to  judge* 

We  alas  are  none  of  thofe  that  live  in  Gofien^ 
fa)  fever*d  from  theforrowes  oi our brethrm\  a  E^od-.s.  2X» 
V  B  wee 


The  Treface, 
i  The  common' Grit-  wec  havc  had  our  {b)  jVParmt  offlies  tsJeftroy 
**"*^"*  eur fruits  :  we  have  kit  che  ftorjne  of  a  diftera- 

«  ExoJ.  9  x6,  pered  ftate,  as  well  as  they  ;  (  c)  Buc  we  had  ra- 

ther with  pra)er  and  parience  wait  and  hope  for 
.  the  reunion  of  ourdifinfted  peace,  than  rend  tj^e 
breaches  wider,  by  pulling  on  our  heads  a  greater 
plague  than  wee  have  yet  felt ,  or  then  the  Egy^- 
i  Exod  i4.ir.  ^M«/ fufFercd,  till  their  (  d)  Chariots  were  taken 

And  the  Lord  troubled  ,  »  .-n 

the  Egyptiiny  and  took  off  their  whtfelej^  or  then  wc  hope  we  can  till  our 
ofFthcirCb^riot  wheels,  Lawes  the  Hinges  of  the  State  be  dif-joyntedgthc: 
'^z's  ^nd  th'e wa'Jers' re-*  ^^^"^^  of  Gc^uemmcnf  let  loofe :  Then  alas ,  how 
turned  and  covered  the  ro;mr(  with  tbcTi )  fliould  we  be  ovetwhclmed 
Charors,  ndthehorfe-  with diforder and confuHon.^ howeafilv bccome 
^'phmoh!^      ^^P^eyTo  the  firft  invader  >  .;,;v 

Yet  I  feare  we  undergoe  more  ccnfiire ,  ^6 

pray  the  prefervarion,  than  thofe  that  (cek  the 

abolirinn  of  thofe  Lawes  that  give  us  Life  and 

fafetie,  by  preferving  GrJer ,  which  is  the  ScuU 

OrJ$efi  inimiLegis       of  Government. 

\  ;  Wee  meet  with  feverall  forts  of  Cenfurers 
fome  feem  torobbe  theGentrieof  the  right  of 
^rheir  owne  free  thoughts,  as  if  they  were  but 
^  properties  to  ferve  the  ends  of  others ,  aft  the 
deiignes  of  the  Bifbcp  and  his  Clergy ,  who  X 
doe  abfolutely  affirmc ,  never  knew  of  it  till  ii 
was  done :  yet  I  doe  confidently  afiumCjif  he  re- 
quired ,  it  might  have  as  many  free  teftimonies 
f  of  qualitie)  ot  his  moderation,  as  any  man  of 
that  reverend  Order. 

Others  of  the  fameflampeleeke  to  impeach 
,n:  /  thccredicof  tbeSnbfcribers,  as  if  a  great  part 

were 


The  Preface. 

were  papiOs :  All  may  fee  our  inflrufVions  were 

not  ro  adraic  fuch  :  I  refolutely  .}f!irme5  no  ^ 

one  Gentleman  of  quality  there  is  fuch  j  and  I 

confidently  believe,  not  one  at  all  of  the  whole 

number. 

Some  (that  certainly  never  law  ir)  Cenfure 
for  company  5  that  wee  cnely  fwimmeagainft  ,  ^ 

the  ftreame  J  and  contrary  to  the  Torrent  of  o- 
ther  CountrieSj  have  pur  in  a  Juftificacion  of  a 
plea  for  Bifhops  :  fuch  Ifaid  before  fure  never 
fawit  :    whentheydoe,  they  will  finde,  that 
we  have  the  fame /ence  ofdiforder  inEcclefiafti- 
call  lurifdiftion  as  ethers  haverThatrous  (e)  the  e  The  Remonflrance. 
fupfrejfing  of  Foperie^  the  increafe  of  able  Tafiors^ 
the  removifig  of  Innovations ,  will  be  equally  ac- 
ceptable as  toother  Sub  jedls:  onely  we  concei- 
ved our  modefirnbmilTion  ro  the  judgement  of 
that  great  Coun  (ell,  to  regulate  the  rigour  of  Ec-  RcmonHrancc. 
clefiafiicall  Courts  tofuifwith  the  temper  of  eur 
Lower  ,  and  the  nature  of  Free-men ,  would  to  fo  ^    „,,  rcpcrmu^.mmU 
gfavea Senate  aammifreras  much  matter  of  (e-  ammrcfitaremcxfuper- 
tious  confideration.  implie  as  much  need  of  Re-  ^''^  ""^^  cr /«>?»,  fai(a 
formation,  as  a  large  invedtive  full  of  bircer  re-  %l7f'!ietiyTam't, 

^viling,  which  might  more  convince  us  of  want  veroqueeiutfiudiora/a*. 

"y  ofCbaritie,  than  theBifhops  of  Moderation;  ^mi^'if^.'^ff^^^m 
bemg  virulence  of  Spirit  never  argued  either  /u>itaiiii  audmms  o* 
Civility,  or  Chriftianifie  5  never  tended  to  piety  I'^^'fi  Anrefiimm.ij  ut 
orunity ,  nor  advanced  eicherRd;gion,  or  gooa  ^'SrjSSi';!::;. 

Order.    /.M'.vj.r.^;  j  "("ii".'  ^ -■'"'-•     "•  _■         ..  coKfemptuvfientent/e.^. 

(^)Caftnftobfavt^,t\itrm6^^Mthirt^k^^   'ji^'J^f^"^"-..:.  o<. 
or  obltinacy  iprings  rather  from  prtde  and  Cd/i.  i./c^.  15. 
'.■::'  B  1  difdaine, 


The  Preface, 

diftJainCjandafalfe  opinion  of  holinefle ,  then 
from  true  fandVity  j  or  thedefire  thereof.  And 
that  fiich  asare  forwards ,  and  the  leaders  of  Or 
thers  in  their  defeftion  from  the  Church,  have 
for  the  moft  part  no  other  cau(e,  but  their  owne 
lelfe  conceipt ,  thinking  themfelves  better  than 
all  men  el fe. 

Bur  if  either  procefle  of  time,  or  difcontinu* 
ance  of  Parliaments  have  admitted  any  fnperftru* 
dtures  of  ex'  )rbitanr  power,  doubtlefle  the  wife- 
dome  of  the  Hon(e,(inflrufl^ed  with  the  fteerage 
of  the  State)  would  reduce  fuch  without  our 

b     si  q^um  habe»t  Epif-  clamourS. 

copi  poteftatcm  giUiu  For  fuchcomplaintsasateagainft  thc  tcmpo-^^ 
tpLTmtl7ofva^ge-  rail  power  of  thc  Bi(hops,wec  know  of  no  fuch' 
liti/hd  iurehumano  do    thing  inherent  to  the  Order,    (h)  Melan&hon  f 

firatiovem  civUem  juo-  humane  injutution  given  them  by  Kings  and  Em-{ 
rum  bemrum.  lUc  me    per  ours  I  if  fo,  certainly  elMS  efi  revocare^  cujut  efij 
mimfiermm  EvirtgeM     ^^^^-  ^nd  where  a  gracious  Prmce,  (ex  mero  mo- 
MtianQhm  Articid.fdeK  tu^  andTitiay  (ay,  expuro  amore  )  out  of  a  tender 
Vl-  c     L.u  .     rafteftion  to  the  peace,  and  welfare  of  his  people, 

Inhis  fpeechthezj.of  /r^j  o.-  c  r    \.       ^*^i? 

i;inuaiie.  hath  freely  ottered  a  retraction  of  luch  temporall 

r  If  upon  fcrious  dc-  authority,  (i)  as  is  not  necefl&ry  for  the  go- 
&\t"fom:«m-  vernment  of  the  Church  ,  it  is  more  proper  for 
porall  authority,  not  fo  the  debate  of  his  great  Councell  to  decide  the 
licccffarie  for  the  go-  pQyjjt  •  than  befitting  the  importunity  of  ns, 
and  upholding  of  Epif-  his  (  much  fatisfied  )  fubjects,  efpecially  with 
copaii  iurifdiaion  ,  I  fijch  Violence,  38  relifhcs  rather  a  fentence  than  a 

fo'ifa'ctht.S°;Uy'?  fupplication:  ^;4«.».o»/.«r»«'  qn^HUUddif. 

<Idwnc,  y  fidium  auget^  qHiqHodfa&kpr^fiaturj  verbif 

^  exigit.  But 


The   Freface. 

But  for  the  Office  and  Order  it  felFe ,  *cis  con* 
fefl'ed,  we  were  fo  farre  from  joining  with  them, 
either  in  their  prayer  of  abolition ,  or  the  n  ie- 
cency  of  their  Language,  that  'twas  thcughtj  it 
became  us  to  vindicate  the  Countrey,(confifting 
of  CivillGenrrie)  from  the  imputation  of  iuch 
incivilitie,  as  that  petition  5  if  it  had  paftas  the 
AftofourCountie  might  perhaps  fixe  upon  us : 
Andmor€  ihenm  cerowne  excuft  of  not  joy- 
ning  with  them ,  we  prefumed  not  to  move  any 
thing  for,  or  againft  the  Bifhopsrbut  being  wee 
intimated  our  feare  that  thcfe  pradifes  and  te- 
nets tended  to  introduce  a  Presby  teric,  'twas  ne- 
ceflarie  ro  (hew  we  had  no  hand  in  that  Pcritior^ 
which  would  have  no  Bi(hops,left  we  might  feem 
to  defire  neither. 

•  Thefe  prejudices  of  opinion  thus  removed,  I 
hope  men  will  with  more  clearc  eyes  fee  the  Inre- 
gritie  of  our  intentions,  and  will  with  us  in  time 
take  heed  of  WoIveSjefpecially  when  they  appear 
in  (beeps  cloa thing. 

As  we  areaGentrie,  who  for  Antiquity  (hall 
fub(cribetonone;  (bihopefliallwe  everteftifje 
our  zealeas  great,  our  re(blution8as  firme  to  pre- 
ferve  our  ancient  liberties,  as  any  Countrie  what- 
foever :  And  1  believe  if  any  had  our  provocati- 
on, they  would  have  made  our  complaint. 


B  a  The 


A  Survey  of  Presbytery. 

SECT,  i; 

The  Dejigne  of  feme  Prefhjteria»s. 

IS  anillprelageof  worfeevents,  to  be- 
gin with  the  fubverGon  of  Gods  hcufe, 
the  Church  :  ItisnotReformation^but 
total!  Innovation  many  men  look  for. 

'Twas  a  figne  of  no  good  intent,  when  fuch  a 
petition  muft  bee  fmother'd  up  from  the  know- 
ledge and  Coun(el!s  of  theGentrie :  And  though 
it  were  Rippreft  after  it  had  beenc  fpread  abroad, 
as  ^perhaps)  finding  the  times  not  ripe  for  a 
full  difcovery  of  their  occult  defignes :  yet  (to 
thole  that  will  fee)  it  gives  light  enough,thar  un- 
der pretext  oF  Reforming  the  Church ,  the  true 
aimc  of  fuch  /pirits  is  to  (hake  off  the  yoke  of  all 
obedience,  either  toEcclefiafticall,  Civill,  C<  m- 
mon.  Stature ,  or-^the  Cuftomarie  Lawes  of  the 
Kingdome,and  to  introduce  a  raeeie  Arbitrary 
Governmenti 

.  But  it  may  perhaps  be  faid,  this  is  but  the  fancy 
of  fome  diliempered  Zehts  in  that  part  onely; 
and  that  I  doe  but  raife  a  (hadow  and  fight  with 
it :  let  iuch  compare  well  the  harmonie  of  other 
licentious  raylers  (  whole  pamphlets  garnifb  e- 
very  ftall )  and  the  concurrence  of  thole  of  the 
iame  ftraine  m  the  times  of  Queen  Elizabeth 
and  King  James,  with  the  prefent  pofirions  and 
petition  complained  of  5  and  I  dare  promile  they 

(hall 


\^  Survey  tf/Presbyterie. 
(hall  findethemallofapeece,  ail  champions  for 
the  Treshyterie^  which  they  then  cal'd.  The  great 
caufi^  the  Holy  canfe,  which  ( as  they  then  decla- 
red;   (k)  they  will  never  leave  fujng  for,  ^^^^^^^  Jotb^Amde'  ^"^^"^^ 
there Jliould be  a  thoufand Parliament s ^ untill either 
theyobtainejt^orbrinQtheLordin  vengeance  and  And  lately  p^achM  by 
blokdupon  the  State  ^  andtbe  vphole  land  Jor  repel-  pulpit  to  the  like  tffca, 
ling  the  fame. 

With  what  Methodj  luftice,  and  Moderarion 
they  goe  about  i t,  is  worth  the  obfervation, 

♦  ♦^'♦♦♦♦^'^'♦♦^♦♦♦♦♦'^♦4'*44"J'ii4"^4'4»    2. Martin  vlarpicl'att,  f' 

_-  11.12.  Engl.Compl.  to 

SECT.     2.  JcfusChrilt. 

The  L^iethod  of  their  proceedings,  J^^y  ^'^e  Hierarchie  is 

•^  '  r    J  that  beat  to  which  tb« 

N  this  Chart  of  their  petition,we  may  find  our  Dragon  garc  his  power. 
felves  plac'd  among  fhe  Antipodes  to  all  order,  >^- '  »•    ^".  I'rchticaii 

.',.         o  »jii  T     government  1$  paf  a:,  i/;. 

rarher  than  in  a  State  govern  d  by  Lawes.  It  jhe  B.iiiops  the  hmbes 
hath  been  the  Method  of  former  rimes ,  that  the  of  the  great  beai},  of  no 
rarlrament,  the  Trimntes^the  N.Z»;/e/,with  the  mi^  tZ^Z^^^s  tfc" 
noresNobiles,  theGentrie^  confult  and  difpence  ry/c/.  4.  scarcbudgca 
the  rulesof  ffovernmenr,  the  Plebeians  (\^h^cal  to  f«^  up  bythe  Devil.  1  he 

J     I  i_  D       •       t^    •     r»     •   •  /•  liorncd     beads    of  the 

and  obey  them.  Bor  m  their  Pcicion  ordine  con-  Popedome.  a  Bi^op  or 

verfo^  petitioners  Plebeians  afllime  to  give  judge-  no  Bi(hop./oi  i. 

<^ment,  rhe  Parliamenr  muft  execute,  the  Nobili-  >«  Tj;"i- 1  edtioij.^te. 
<  jr-N       '  r  cc   i^   '  ..  4-  They  arc  cruef  I  Har- 

ry and  Gentnelutter  by  It-  ..:.>.;•  pies  a-ainft   Religion. 

They  make  n^t  any  one  proof  ci"  complaint  a-  Protefi.  17.  Febr.1659. 
gainft  any  one  Biftr.p,or  .teir  order ;  yet  dearely  tt.'^'jrht  ^f' kI 
fentence  them  all,  (/)/<>r//><»  Popes  fubfittutes  per  raei.L.BiflicpsnoBiih. 

acddens  at  ieafi.ifnot  by  folemne  covenanted alle  f^'  7i-  I'relac/  is  an  o- 
TTi^^  J  i_         r     \  J-        1  /      P*"^    rebellion   aaamft 

geance  :  1  hey  condemne  them  (^m)jor  themigh  chrift  and  h.y  K,ng- 
ty  enemies ,  and  fecret  uhderminers  of  the  Church  dome  /o  1 3.  They  fteal 
W  Sommon^malth  I  They  judge^/je«?  #Vei  ^4ie./o!'z ?!'"""  '^' 


I 


■  ■■^■'»Sf*' 


Kji  Survey  of  Presbytery. 

LlSrS^fKL^nd  Ml(n)govttnmnt  Antnhripm  \tvAviZ  the 
Atiuchriftian.\\'cvowtofor.  Parliaiiienc  onely  to  execute  their  doorae  upon 
bSefvee?oTwToifrkc  thcm:  HO  morejCnof  no  more  adoe)but  (o)  uHer^ 
t^^^^^'cSr^ltl  ly  to  Molve  their  Offices,^  together  with  mine  of 
'^t%^'^-n^'^  feedot  Anti-  [^^ojj.  Antichfiftian offices and govemment,  their 
fo!.  I .  E  ,jimcki  good  An-  impious  Coufcs,  {p)  their  dependent  Officers,  e- 
fS  !>okc  of au  PrcUrS'  VCH  f  rom  the  Chdncellor  to  the  Paritor ,  (q)  The 
^..'i^^J::,  i^'oke  of  Articles,  (r)  The  EngUflo  refined  Maffe^ 
thev  arc  uocoriousAjiachrifts.  ^Qohf^  of  CommoH  Frdver.  With  dl  the  Popiff)  (igni- 

#i./o/.6V^io"splcahJ. 11.281.  ^     ■'  .         ,-^.  ,        ,  r  J      I  C> 

«  Theirp::i:ition.  notej.      ficcint  Cercmontes  therein  contattted, 
"^r^^^t^^^i^:^^    Here  is  neither  men  nor  difcipline  fpared//)  o- 
g?Pr£e?o\cS^^^^^     t^ers  tel  ni. Prelates, Difcipline.and  church  ofEng^ 
kenaway.  Anf.  lo  Lond.peci-  i^ff^  jy.^  ^U cottclnded  Antichrifiianitherefore  cood 

tion-^;.  To  be  removed,  view    ^,     .r,.  r,       itr  ^^irij-  r     1 

ofchcprcUticiii  Church.  58.  Chnjiiam  jhomajepurate  themjelves  frofftjuch  a 
U^^{ISZrr:^^'co.r.s,  Churcb.  Andis  this  rhelanguageof  our  Country, 
w,%r.  Lctany.   The  Bi-  Qf  QUf  timcs  onlyMf  fo.  *cwere  forae  argument  to 

inops    impious   government,  ^  J  '  /?  -        j      • 

ch^da  ^>,^iu,foL^.  convince  our  preicnt  PreUteSyto  have  (tamed  the 
L^SscrfpturrVnijUnS  houour  of  thcirCoats ,  as  degenerate  from  their 
J3"  the  ^o.  A^rS"T  pious  predeceiTors.  But  0  rempora\  0  meresX  is  no 
ffi"'^^A'"*'ft"h^tf  rK-  '^^^  exclamarionjall  ages,all  people  condemn  the, 
tide.  chiS' on  h^. Throne,  pre  fen  t  j  aud  ftiliappUud  the  times  pal>.  With 
^Theirpecition  note  7.  Li.  what  revercuce  dio  we  call  to  mind  chofe  precious 
S ^Suy'^ni'^Maffe:  days  wc  yet  ftile  the  purity  o^flElizabeths  reign> 
bookc  preiite:church.foi.27-  as  if  thcu  thc  C/jHrch  wctc  all  innoceucc ,  had  no 
tioSridohSRcSna.  fpot  in  her  infanc  whicenes  .*  bur  if  we  (hall  afwell 
pkaft  'Se'SvicXk  look  back,and  confider  the  fpirit  of  the  fathers  of 
lakcdout  of  j.Ronnfti Chan-  j|^g^g  Dilcipies  iQ  thofc  days, wc  (hal  then  find,*tis 
/  Lord  Biniops  no  Bi/hops.  not  the  churches  purity,  'tis  not  the  Paftors  piety^ 
Church  is  'whriftiaV.  ^  Can  ftop  thc  foulc  mouchs  of  fuch  traducers  ^  'tis 
^^^li^tZC  envy  and  ambition  barks  thus  in  emulation  of 
ftian.    8  Propofmons  in  thcit  Ofdcr,  not  iu  2ealc  againft  dieirDodrinc 

print.  T\'r'    V    ^ 

orDalcmlme. 

S^ECT. 


The  Sftrvej  of  Presby  tef)% 

iiif iiiif if iiif f i  f  f 

SECT,   3. 

TheTresbj/terJans  ceftfnre  ffftheClcrgji  in^een 
Elizabeths  tiote, 

W  Ere  the  CIef;gy  then  more  meekeand 
humble?  will  you belecve  the  Brethren 
of  that  time ,  (peaking  of  th  c  Clergy 
in  General!  f  They  are  wolvts^  (t)  IntoUerablt  of^  f  snthim  sufpli*.f\^%^ 
.jHgnerj  of  Gt^dr  glory  iu),  A  cruiiof  wonftr,ml'^^ll^i^'Jl^^ 
^  ^ndnngodlf  wretches  y  (sj?)  an  AntichriJiiaH  Swi* 
:mfi  Rabble. 

Were  the  Bifliops  then  of  purer  lives,  or  Do- 
;  ftrine  ?   Thecharirable  Brethren  ftil'd  them  The  ^  nay  any.  /»,  15.34. 
moftfefiiknt  enemies  of  our  State  (x) ,  The  Ordi-  sufpiH«t.fbL  5  5. 
nances  of  the  DiveU,  (jr)  fetty  Popes,  petty  ^«-;S;^|Ti. 
tichrjjis^  Jncarnatc  IXivels^  coggings  cozening 
/Knaves^    • 

Were  they  lefife  rigid  in  their  Cenfures?  They 
tell  you ,  {1)  They  are  But f hers  and Horfe-leechei^  ^  »dy  *«y.  m*  at. 
:4hefe Drasotts  tjrmny^  and  khod'thirfir  procee-  M«tin$  prsts/iat.  s?. 
dtngs  are  twxcHjable,  .  r  f-i  ^  ^*  ^  ^j^p  QrhMX 

:    Is  it  onely  nur  prefent  Arch'biQjop  hath  op'd  hnijbt »»  Qu  Marki 
-ttse  gap  of  Calomny  ^  They  £xy, Their ^  then"*^* 

■theft  Wolfey ,  (ajprouder  then  Stephen  Gardners  mortoa^  5,  ihid  g.%. 
jHore  bloody  then  Bonner :  Beh^bub  if  Canterbu-  *  Marttn/«:er  4. 
cfK,cf^) a  mcnfirouf  Antuhrimm  Pfpc,  (si^m^fi '  ^^A •w^/s^^i^^ 

C        ^  Was 


i  No  crcny.  A»  j. 


fJimonttion  to  th€  par- 
tiamtnt.p.  i- 


Supplicatien  to  the  Far- 
Hamtnt.f^S' 

*  miemp.  >3  IS  ij- 

^6ttoa  mt  of  Smhnd 
Hiht  Lirds.  f,  41. 


Kyi  Survey  o/Prebbyrcry, 

Was  the  Scare  more  favourable  ro  them>  they 
complainc  {d)  The  Mtigiftracy  and  Minijiery  h^rve 
vpalked  hand  iff  hand  in  the  coft<fWft  of  true  Eeli' 
gion^  andunttf  both  the  w$rd  oj  the  Lord  if  made  a 
riproach. 

Did  the  Parliament  yet  picafe  them  better? 
(e)  aU  good  confidences  (fjiythcy)jfjall  condemne 
that  Court :  It  fiallbe  eafer  for  Sodom  and  Go- 
morrah in  the  da)  of  judgement  ^  then  for  fuch^  4 
Court :  There /hall  not  be  a  man  of  their  Seed  that 
fjal/ prolper^  be aFarliament man^  orbearerukin 
England  <i;^^«/^re. 

Nay,  the  Queene  her  felfe  (capes  not  their 
cenfure ,  (f)Do  you  thinks  our  Church  governe* 
went  to  be  good  and  lavpfull  ^  becaufe  her  Majejiy 
and  the  Statt  allow  the  fame  *  why  *  the  Lord  doth 
net  allow  and  approove  of  it  .•  her  Majejiy 
and  the  State  doe  maime  and  deforme  the  body  of 
Cbriji^andfo do bidGodto battUy  and  either  her 
Ma]efiy  knoweth  not  what  thejdefire^  orelfeflee  if 
negligent  of  her  Duty^  andunthani^fullto  God, 

Whothatreadesthefc  would  envy  our  Ance- 
ftors,  or  pray  for  the  reftoring  of  their  dayes  a- 
gaine  >  Had  thofe  times  or  perfons  no  better  te- 
mmony  given  of  them ,  certainly  a  ftranger  that 
fliouid  have  come  amongft  thefc  to  feeke  a  Reli- 
gion 5  would  enquireas  the  Mocre  did  of  the 
Spaniard  i  what  Religion  they  wer^ofj  not  out 
of  defireto  learne  that,  but  that  he  might choo/e 
the  contrary  5  as  concluding  the  oppofrte  to  fo 
extreambad,  muft  needs  be  good :  fordoubtles 

no 


K^  Survey  of  Prefbyfery. 

rio  maa  would  lay  the  foundation  c  f  his  Fairhj 
where  he  neither  findes  in  pra6tiie  the  principles 
of  Chriftian  Charity,  nor  natarall  Civility 

But  lee  us  eximine  better  witnefe  of  thofe 
timeSj  whether  were  moreguilty,rheaau(ed,  cr  C^)Bpt-E>';?.«2./.i'-c». 

the  accusers  ■  ^inmu  optima  ciUVia  "o- 

BcLA  ( a  ftrift  Reformer )  in  his  Fpiftle  to  f  me  j^^lr  ^il\u7tLmuU(>~ 
Englitb  Brethren  writes  thus :  rum  ettam  exceUctf/n. 

(  ^  )  ipromifi  U  ..^fe!fe_  ev^n  tk  hcjl  things  of  XZl'Ift^^^l 
ibaf  Kingdome  ^  wbertintcerejiauratJonofChri-  nugiovisirfiavratio.  ' 
ftjan  RcliQionbath  kene  feJeci  mtfj  the  Bloud  of  (^0  i^ortumur  ut  m^l 
Ja  many  excellent  Martyrs  :  (h)  And  exhorts  pefira,  Jualmpatieyjter 
thcCDf^hoit  leaving  all  hi  tterftejfe ,  they  wouldbeare  feravtj  f  egU  Majcfiati 
one  another  with  patience,  and  obey  the  g)ueenes  f'^'H^'T^f^fZ^ 
Majejtie  ^  ana  all  their  Prelates  with  ajree  heart,  vmoobfequ-mur. 
And  writing  to  Bifhop  Grindall  ( i  )  he  com-  (0  ^cv^  Epi/^..ii.<td 
mends  bis  Cbrijiian  lenity  and  patience^ for  bearing  ^oUu  i^'tur  qtwrun- 
TPith  the  felfe' conceited  pride  oj  fowe^  and  (aith  dam  Av-^AJhoj^pcrpeta- 
they  (hall  delerve  a  greater  mnijlinient  that  will  re.  lftt,fvt,evdifstmtyif, 

fi  1  J  *  in  eo  fanewftgve  patien- 

jea  again  hjsanthority,  tUerUmwiiLkr-fiia'- 

Buc^ez.«isbuta(ing!ewitncfle,  take  anct'ier  *'afp'^cimeneddf/ii,ju6 
then,  though  later  in  time,  yet  no  lelTe  eminent  7iZ^fqui!!rTaufL 
in  worth:  Peter  Du  Moulinfbotb  fuperintendenf^s  rrtatcm  tuam  afpemd-- 
of  the  Reformed  Churches :  )  /«  EnglandS^nh  5"^^  w*  r    n   u     e 

,         //v       /         ^i;      ;       r   1     .n  a    ■  (^  3/ow/<wf  Buckler  of 

ne,  {kjVPhereCod  hath  njedBjJhops  tojtnve  a-  Faith /»/.  547, 
eainfl:.  and  torefiA  Papiftry.  And  where  God  hath  Petr.  MolmxniThefibuu 
Z-         \l  ^  i,  •  i>    •  r-  L         •    *    •       t  de  Kotti  Ecdelia  par  2. 

gwcntbem  Moveratgne  Prmces^which  maintained  rbfxi^  BpifcJas  4n 

andupheld  them  by  their  power  :  Epifcopall  ordir  girapc^co^iverfto^cmad 
continueth  and  flourifieth  at  this  day.  And  God  fi^^emt^^cmarumppif 
hath  here  raijed  up^andjtill  doth,  excellent  Bifljops^  /„  iteiferw. ,  ve  Mw 
bath  far  learning  and  pie  tie .  which  c^uragiou/ly  if^  dtfcren  nunmini 


-♦  A  Snrvejf  of  Preshytery,  ^ 

maintairieCcdwau^e  bothbywordof  fffButh  ^  and- 
vpriting.  and  fome  aj  them  alfo  have  received  the 
Crovrnt.  of  Mart j/r dome  for  the  Cenjejfion  oj  ths' 
GofpetJ. 

If  rhc'  men  were  wirhdut  exception,  was  their 

Difcipline  the  caufe  of  quafreli^  Askc  themj 

they  will  tell  yf  11  yea. 

(OFira  Aamonition  to       Jhey  fay  {I  )The  Communion'Fooke  is  culled 

\t  ,^6  ■^""''"'*  ^'  '^'  <^»^i  pcfied  oHtof  that  Fopijh  Dung^hill,  the  Por- 

Syom  Plea,  x^  tuifc^and  Maffe  book,,  (w)  The  Sacraments  are  wiC"' - 

(ff  Giibypig.  1  •  the  Lords  Supper^  hut  play  a  Pageant  of  their  ovpne, 
(o)  Firft  Admonition,  jfjg  pubiiki^  Baptifme  {o)  is  full  of  Childifh 
^mgdh.pai.Ao.   ^    andfrperftitious  toyes,  the  Ceremonies  (p )  are- 

popip  fooleries  ^  Komijh  Reliques^  and  ragges  of 

x^ntichriji^ 

If  all  were  thus  farre  ami iTe ,  what  hope  was  - 
U)  ?emtnE0k  ^„.  there  yet  of  ReforrDation?  They  tell  us  (^)  £«^- 
fore  the  tnotioti.  I  md  With  an  impudent  foreheadhathfafd^  I  voilnot 

{r)guby.pci^.  77c        ^^^^  ^^^^  ^y^  /y  ^/^  ^„g  .  y^^j^  (^ ^  hateth  them  to  this  -• 

day  that  faithfully  doe  their  office^  What  mi(e- 
rable  condition  fhall  any  charitable  ChrifHan 
confider  this  diftr eded  Nation  to  bee  in  ^  that 
views  it  either  in  fuch  colours,  thofe  Fathers,  or 
iheie  our  Brethren  have  fet  usfbrth  in?  What 
mnftbe  the  comfortable  Contemplation  of  that 

{/);'Sdh2p\i1»  great  day  of  which  (/)  lob[?.yti^lknoi»ihat  my 
Redeemer  liveih^  andthat  I  (fjallfiawdat  the  latter 
day  upon  the  earthy  andin  my  fiefh  I  fhall  fee  Gad, 
vphffm  I  fhalljeefor  myfelfe,  and  my  eyesfiall  kehold, 

i^)  1,  C«ttnA.i3 .1 ;. ;  Arid  as  S  t.  fml  (ayes ,    (t)fee  fact  to  fac$ ,  and 

\n&ifi 


A  Snfvry  of  Presby terie, 

hrf(m>  even  as  a!fo  we  are  knoivne.  When  we  cali  to 
iT>inde(>U'' prime  genifors  were  Heathens  deny- 
ing God  :  enr  predeceffirs  ApoOates  fallen  from 
tlie  crijeG' d  w  Pvomiili  Idofatrie  and  fuperftiti-  ^ 
on:  our  F^uhers  and  our  felves  (uch  Schifma- 
tiques  from  whom  ail  go.  d  Chriftians  muit  lepa- 
rafechemfelvcs.  " 

Nliferable  indeed  were  the  cnndirion  of  this 
forlorne  ftate ,  if  other  Reformed  Churches 
ffrxke  n at  bee ter of  us,  than  wee  of  one  ano- 
ther. - 

SECT.  4^ 

The  opt  mom  of  iheR  eformed  Churches , 

Eare  C^/iy/^/ opinion  in  hisEpiftfe  to  the  {u)caivin\nhii'^^mt 
hovd^toieCcOToi  England'  {uyrhe forme  toihc  L.Proua-r. 
ofprajfcr,  mitheCertmomcs  of  the  Chnrch  ^  j^,,J,^  Ecckfiarum, 
t  doe  exceedfngly  approve  of  ^  as  that  from  vphiih'  vaidepobof  urcertaiUa 
the  Mintjlers  ou^ht  not  to  dtpart.  '  ^/'^7  quapa^onbm  in 

(v)  Martin  Bucer^iezrnca  Reformer  beirtg  voniueat. 
recjuefted  by  the  A rch-bith op  Cr^^wer  to  give  {»}  Martin  Bucer^^crip, 
biscenfureof  thcE«^/#  Liturgy,  fayes//  fr4ife  ^J'^S^;;^^,^ 
God  that  gave jou  light  to  reduce  thefe  Ceremonies  dijpctvos  has  cmmonias 
tofuch  purity  ;  for  Ifinde  nothing  in  them,  which  copuriraturejomsre.vce 
jf  not  tak^n  out  of  the  Word  of  God,  or  at  leaft  vptfe,  ^rchcnd^  quod  nor.  fit  ex 
(  if  clearely  interpreted  )  not  repugnant  to  it,         'verbo  T>d  defumftU,  aue 

(ds)  Bexa  fupvmendsns  GsM'Sig,  T^o^nhfa puritafy't^etin  Ar^liajpure  ^  fincere,   i2«* 
^frxPfcfa«<  C   3  true 


A  Survey  of  Presbyrerie. . 

true  DocfrimfloHnfles  purely  andftnctrdy. 

The  German  Zanchie,  ( y  )Th2i  hjthk  ^eefts 
^o^iTi^rtT^ii-  combing  to  the  Cror^ne,  GjcI  hath  agamerejhred 
fnmfiQArnt<3'C'  his  Do& rine^and  true  voorjijip,  i 

^  zj.^<t«w  French-      KudDan^us   C  &;  gives  ^his  large  reftimony,;- 
man  at  Genevu  ^  That  the  Whale  compajje  of  the  world  hath  tfucrfeen ' ' 

fiogers  in  his  Prcuce  to         thtHP  more  bleljed^  nor  more  to  bee  wjjjjcd  for. 
the 39.  Articles,  ./     •    /       ^  *  J     ^ 

''  taartK  her  Government. 

It  then  we  find^that  neither  QueenjPdrliamenc,* 
State,  Clergie,  Dodrine,  Cereraonies,  norihe 
Churc'i  it  felfe  canple^fe  fuih  Separacifts,  but  « 
they  reviie  all ,  whom  all  the  world  el(e  admires, 
I  Corinth,  ij.  i.        approves  :  Though  they  fpeak^with  the  tongues  of 
men  and  Angels  ^and  havefo  little  Charity  Jet  us  va- 
lue themjbut  as foundingBraJfe^and tinck}ing  Cym- 
balls  f  Let  us  weigh  their  noyfe  no  more  Jet  it  befaid 

4  i King.  9-  *»•         '^  ^^•'^^ ^  J^^"  ^^  Joi aoi ,  (a) What  haji  thou  te 
doe  with  feacefo  long  as  the  whoredomes  ofihymo- 
/^er  Jezabel,  and  her  witch-crdfts  are  fo  many? 
what  do  thefe  men  with  religion  in  their  mouths, 
when  they  have  no  Chriflianity  in  their  hearts  > 
(  />)  Being  without  naturall  ajfe&ionsytruce-brea^ 
h   tTi.no;hy5  5,4>^  \^^rs  Jalfe-accufers, fierce, defpifers  of  thofe  that  are 
goodyheady,  high  mindedfhaving  d  forme  of  godli'' 
nejfe  y  but  denying  the  power  thereof,  fromfuch 
turne  away.  And  from  the  delufions  of  fuchjGod 
tume  the  hearts  of  all  loyall  Subje<^s. 

*  ris  the  nature  of  Man-kinde^that  being  dccei-: 
ved  by  they^me/ of  an  imaginary  goodjthey  ma- 
ny times  covet  their  owne  ruine.   Thefe  fiigred 
baits  of  parity  and  libertie  infus*d  into  vulgar^ 
.  ,i  apprehenfion' 


c^  Survey  /jfPresbyrerie. 

apprehenfinns  under  the  pretext  of  pierie,and  re- 
f( ^rm uioni:ire  fuch  popular  povYons as  will  foon 
o*re  fpread  rhe  bodyrif  the  Common- wealthy 
and  corrupt  or  diflToive  the  Nerves  &  Ligaments 
"of  Govern  men -(conformity  to  La  wes)if  nor  ear- 
ly prevented  by  thofe  preciom  Antidotes  againO: 
Confufion,  Lo)alty.and  Conftancy. 

SECT.  5. 

A  Djfcujjionvphethcr  they feek^to pulldown'!^ 
er  advance  the  Cltrgie* 

LEf  us  then  ere  wee  imbrace  the  thoughts  of 
fuch  a  total!  fubverfion  of  the  Fabrick  of  a 
Church  and  Srate ,  examine  whether  (iich 
"  Reformers  aime  at  our  liberty^or  their  owne  ad- 
vancement, whether  fuch  biirernefTe  of  Spirit 
proceed  from  zeale  to  ttuth,  or  emulation  of  the 

'Order,  r^^  ,  c    What  a  Monopoly  is 

t    '  V      1         •  r  i_    ^i        ♦      I  L         ^^^^3  ^°  f^lte  away  the 

IsittoclipthewrngsoffheCIe'-gicthat  ehcy  cdc  wherem  the  office 
fbarenottoohigh  5  that  thefe  men  crie  out  a-  of  all  true  paftors  is 
gainftEpifcopalijurifdidionf  orratherisitnot  3,trrftto  onl  1*^ 
'  to  Imp  oat  their  broken  FeathcrSjthat  they  may  lonc  among  frany? 
mount  above  the  reach  of  all  Lawes  ?  Is  it  to  re-  thrifts  Throne  foi  4.5 . 
gulate  any  exorbitant  power  in  them  ^  or  rather  Thi^Monopo'yisamy. 
isitnot  to  make  their  power  as  indefinite,  as  ftcrieofr  .fchiefes.vjew 
theirjnumbers  arc  infinite  ?  Is  it  not  really  to  pull  ^'^^"*  c^"'^^^^-  /«^'  J? 
•   downe  26.Bi(hops,  and  fetup9324.potentiall 
"  Popes  >  when  in  efFeft  the  Paftorot  every  parifh 
Church  muft  be  fuch. 

The 


A  Survey  of  Presbyrerie. 

-^^The  cmrf  qi  ence^thefetDen  promise  to  th«m' 
felvesinrheirpetitif  n(iccondedbythewriringof 
their  fellow-laborers)  promi(e  no  leffe^wh  ich  are, 
Ftrft,  to  quit  themfelves  froni  the  circunifcrip- 
tionofany  Ccclefiafticali  Auchoricie,  ekber  in  di- 
d  Their  petition,  note  fciplioe  Of  dodtrine,  {d)  They ^r ay  that  the  rev€4^ 
iC.  VicwofthePrela-  /^^/  veiU  ofGod^  contained  in  the  books  of  the  old 
ticdi       urc  ,  o  ,    .      and  new  Tejiament  muy  be  the  rule  that  r»eejhould 
follow  1,  As  if  certainly   this  whole  Stare  and 
Church  had  all  this  while  followed  a  wroog 
e   Their  petition,  note  Guide,    (d)  That  the.morall  do&rine  of  the  PrO" 
*7«  phetsand  K^pofiles  may  bee  oldEnglands  Canont^ 

^of  which  themfclves  muft  be  Expo(jtors)as  if  all 
Canonicall  obedience  were  a  meereintrufion  up- 
on Gods  word,  a^dhadno  foundation  in  Scrip- 
viurco 

Doe  wee  not  know,  that  TiMotly  and  T/7«/ 

were  by  Saint  TmlCct  over  the  Churches  of  E- 

phefus  and  Crere,  and  in  the  ftile  of  both  the  E- 

piftle?,  by  the  interpretation  of  the  Fathers,  ap- 

pearetbhavebecjieBiihcps,  andtobaveCanoni- 

f    iTimoihi.?.        ca  11  pow^r  committed  to  them?  (/')7V?yi/jp?*f^ 

g   2Chap.i.8.  .  fidfe  do^rrnes  ^  {g)  To  direU  tifjM  and  place  for 

h   9'  prayer  And fiippU cations^  (h)  To  prefcribe  formes 

*     *r»  of  apparrell^(i)To  impofirf^mcc  upon  womcn^ 

^    I  Timoth.  J  .1,1 2.      ^l^y  T,oinjiitMte  B^Jhops  and  Deacons^  (Dto  remm 

m  'jbid?2°!  ^  '^*         Accufationsyandtopunifh  Elders,  (m)T4forJains 

»   Titus  i.  10,  MinifierSy  (n)  To  admoniJI)  and  rejeH obfiinate  Ue-* 

*    iTiinoth.Mo.         retiqueSf  ('^)Toexcommunitaiefuchaiblajpl^m^* 

Ji  nd  thefe  things  not  tranfmi  cted  to  them  as  do- 

drines,  but  as  part  of  their  Jurifdidion.  > 

(o)Thefe 


^  Sm"vejofPrc<>hytenQ. 

(0)  Theje  things  comf^iandaftd tcach^  and  rebuke  «    »  TimotH.4  1 1.     • 
'a>ith  all  aHthorJtie.     (^'^)  \^nd let  no  titan  dcfpife  4   Tit-i&js.ij* 
thee. 

So  that  here  wee  may  lee  a  found  uion  of  Ec- 
GleHafticall  Governmenc  laid  even  by  the  A  poll-ies 
ihemfelves,  and  to  us  enjoy  ned  obedience. 

And  though  in  the  infancieof  the  Gcifpell, 
when  {q)  The  Son  of  man  had  not  where  to  lay  h^s  'i   Match.s.  z*. 
head:  when  his  Difdples  allpaftrhorow  theti^e      i-'^^'-"?.?^* 
of  Martyrdome,  and  no  free  Srare,  fcarce  any 
whole  Village  had  received  the  Gofpell^  even 
Rome  it  lelfe  was  for  many  asces  after,  the  (eat  o[ 
the  Heathen  Emperours,  (r)  under  whofe  terrible  ;:^j  [^*^'  ^''  ^'"y^*» 
pcrfecunons  the  church  was  fcattercdinto  corners  ' 

anddfferts^  where  they  could  befi  hide  thcmfelves  : 
It  could  not  then  Cl  fay  )  be  expedted,  that  fo  ex- 
a'ftaplatforraeof  Difciplineflicu'd be  laid  down  ^  Erirtom6.h}  mj- 
to  governehandfuls,  as  was  after  neceffirie  to  be  rmothtum.PaiLu'!  ou- 
extended  to  (way  the  converted  Chriftian  world,  m/icrium  adopt arar,  p>o- 

Yet  then  did  Pmu  lee  the  necefiiry  00th  ot  inlh-  y;,^,^  /j^^.^,-,  er^ditum^ 
tuting  rules  ofgovernmentjck  putting  the  execu-^  ^uovia.nautmbwcEc- 
tionixJto  ihe  hands  of  feme  fupreme  power :  To  '^'^'TJ^!fr;/''^l 

which  purpoiCj  as£r^/«'/^i"OblerveS.  (J)Heecld'  mt-eu^M  vijurMior.e  E- 
&edTi/}idthy^  ahopeftdl  yonn(f  man.  and  learned  in  f'/lopaU. 
holy  wr/t,  into  theminjjtene  j  and  that  bee  nngot,  ^^^^.^r^  Lvcfcrlanoi. 
commit  to  him  the  care  of  the  Churches^  infiitnted  'EccUftx  fius  ift  fmnmi 
himiasalfoTittfs)  in  the  office  of  a  Brfiop,    And  saccrdomdigmuicpcn- 
Saint  Eterome  (t)  gives  the  rcafon  or  the  neceili-  ^^,„  ^  ah  ommim  emi. 
tie  of  fuch  fuperintendencie  in  the  Churchy  for  ncTfsdemr  pQufim,  tot 
fayes  he,  Ibefafcm  of  the  Church  depends  upon  the  i^,j,^;J;^';.;tS- ' 
dignitie  of  the  chiefs  Vriefiy  to  whom  if  feme  extra-  tes, 

D  ordinarie 


A  Survty  o/Preshyrerlc. 
ordinarh  power  above  thereji  bee  notgiven^  then 
would  bee  as  many  Jchifmes  tn  the  Church,  as  there 
are  Pajiors, 

If  then  the  Inftitution  of  Eccleliafticall  Go- 
vernment were  Apoftolicall,  the  adminiftration 
commicred  by  ^aintJ^rfw/himfelfe  toprimePref- 
byters,  or  as  a  11  ancient  Fathers  agree,tD  Bilhops  5 
Lerus  next  fee, whether  ftich  Ecdefiafticall  Lawes 
have  beene  deduced  downe  to  our  fore-farhers  in 
a  continued  current,  from  (the  fountaine  head^ 
the  Apoftie?  ^  or  are  but  as  thefe  charitable  men 
ftile  ih^m^The Rdiquei oj Romip  Tyranny, 


<t^  4^  4^ 


SECT.  6. 

The  Ecclejtafiicall  Lawes  agreeable  to 
Gods  word. 

I  Have  in  the  Epiftle  formerly  fer  forth  the  firft 
plantation  of  the  Gofpell  in  England,  in  the 
-u  Fex  his  Martyrs/oi.  time  of  Lucim^  (u)  abouc  the  yeare  1 69.  when 
\*'  I ,  -n     ,r.  as  Elntherius  Cthen  Bilhop  of  Rome)  (hewes  from  • 

Archbiihop  Vlher ,  Dc       .  •      •    i  j     •  r^     i^r  n*     it 

primordi  Ecdef:  fol,^^,  what  principles  wee.  dcrive  our  Ecclelialhcalf 
S9'  Lawes:   Inhis  lettettoLwd/jiif  liing  ef  Britaine 

he  writes  thus  t 

meSSS^^  ^''  ''^^^''  '^'  ^^^^?  ^^^^^'  '^^^^'  ^^perors 
Hcdefiarum  FrimwdiiSf  to  befent  ever  to  you  :  The  Roman  Lawes  and  Em- 
fJ:  101.  feronrsvpe  ?ftay  ever  reprove^  but  the  Law  of  God 

vpe 


T^e  m^t}  H^*  (n>)  let  htive  received  ^fhif^.^  thretigh  ^  ^Mhevii  nferi^t^m 
Godsnm^h  in  the  Kealme  ^fBritawe.th  Larv  t^r^cvfi^it^"!:^ 
and  faith  efchrift^yce  have  within  your  Rvdme  teres  Rom^nai  «2r^<e- 
both  the  parts  of  the  Seriptures :  cut  eftkem  by  ^''"f  "^"^^^  trarfmitti^ 
Godsgrace^witu  theCounJeU  oj.jenr  £ica(.me,  tak^  r.u  ml  'volufiis^'-^^,:^ 
yen  aLaw^  andby  that  Ldtpjuleyenr  Kingdoms  of  fi'd>ctsp€}?€i  vos  >>)  re^~ 
Sritnwc ;  for  you  be  Gods  Fkar  inyOHr  Kwgdomc.  .^""^."r^crj'.Jr 
A  King  hath  his  naffje  of  ruling^  and  twt  of  having  ikm  rcgm  wjiri  fnoe 
aRedme  ;  youfI)aU  beeaKi)i^  while  you  rule  iveiL  ^'^'!"  ^  per  tihm  z)ci 

1        -r  I      ^/  r      .1  n       ^r-        n    n  P^ttevtH    vejirum    re£t 

bHttJ  you  doe  othervpije^  the  name  o]  a  King  jb ail  BritmM^ngmm. 
not  remaine  with  you^  andyeufiall  lofe  it^  "which 
God  forbid. 

Sure  none  will  fb  much  honour  Popery,  to  (Iiy 
thefewere  Popifh  infufions,  they  will  nor  grant 
them  a  plea  for  fuch  antiquirie,  which  is  more 
than  by  feme  hundreds  of  yearcs  they  can  juftly 
lay  claime  to.    Cahin  does  fpme  right  to  the  an- 
tiquitie  of  thefe  Lawes^  inhis  Treatife  concer- 
.ning  the  ftate  of  the  ancient  Church  and  the 
manner  of  gcvernmenr  thereof  before  the  Papa- 
cie,  {x)  which  (fayes  hee)  will  reprefent  unto  enr .  x  Q^ivitts  hiflitut  lib' 
eyes  a  certaine  image  of  the  divine  Infiitution  j  for  ^  •  '^"P-^*  fi^'  ^  • 
although  the  Bifjopj  of  thofe  times  made  many  Ca- 
nons ^  whert^  they  might  fee  Pi  e  to  expreffe  more 
than  was  exprejjed  in  the  holy  Scriptures^  yet  with 
fo  good  caution  they  framed  their  whole  adminijira- 
tion  according  to  that  onely  rule  of  pods  word,  (y)  y  p-'tfacik  •vlkai.  mhi'l 
that  you  may  eafily  perceive  that  they  had almoji  nO'  ferehac  parte  habutjfc  d 
thing  in  this  Oehalfeydifonant  from  the  wordof  '^"•^o'DduUemim, 
God.  • 

Nay  further  (fayes  hee)  if  wee  looke  into  the 

D  2  forme 


j&  Survey  of  ?tG%hytene, 

Seif.^.  sirmintuemars  jot  me  of  government  it  felfe^  wee  (hall  find  that  the 
rmnmm  '^f^'^^Jf^  ancient  Bffl}opr  would  not  devife  another  forme  of 
EuUJiteformm  voiui^e  chftrch  regiment  differmg  from  that  which  God 
fvierc,  ab  eaquam  Dm  l^ffj  prefer/ bed  in  his  Word, 
T^^BuTif'tfoiit^i^  And  rhere  is  none  I  am  fare  can  fay  this  was 
HHiiUudpotcft  Rex  in  f^jnelv  Bitrerie:^  Happie  were  it,  that  every  King 
%'''(^''^j!L7m^qu'm  laid^his  connfell  to  heart, had  it  engraven  incha* 
quod de jure potcfi,  T>i-  x^i^Xtxso't  ^o\i\^ox\\\SL^(em€nto vJvsre,  Iris  fo 
citnr  cmm  Rex  4  be>i^  confonanc  too,  that  it  IS  incorporated  with  our 

mndo,  quia  Rex  c/i  dam   Common  Law..(0 

ia!e rcgiry Tyranntadum  If  then  this  Ecciefiaftlque  DifcipHne  were de- 
popuiumfibicrcdaumvi-  ^  ^  ffonuhc  Apoftles,  built  upon the Bailsof 
er.n.  the  Old  and  New  Tcltament ,  continued  ever 

(ince,  and  is  now  fo  confined  within  the  limits  of 
u  Stat.25.  H.8.  c  j^.  of  our  Lawes :  (u)  That  the  Ckrgie  can  enaB  no 
Canons  or  Confiitutions  without  the  Kings Koyall 
ajfentyand  that  none  formerly  madeffjall  be  in  force, 
htttfuch  ^ts  by  Commijfioners  oj  both  Houfesjhall  be 
adjudged  worthy  to  be  ^ept.  And  that  it  is  provi-L 
ded,  that  no  Canons^  Conftitutions^  or  Ordinances 
jballbe  made^orput  in  execution  within  the  Realme), 
which  Wall  be  contrariant  or  repugnant  to  the  Kings 
Trcrogdtive  Royally  or  the  Cujiomet^  Lawes^  or  Sta^ 
tuites  of  the  Rcalme,  Then  this  Eccfefiafticall  Law. 
becomes  a  meere  regulated  Law  by  the  judge- 
ment and  conlent  of  the  Civil!  State;  If  fo ; 
That  the  continuation  of  this  DifcipHne,  in  the 
difpcnfation  of  fuch  Mfnifters,  whole  deviations 
are  punilhable  as  mifdemeanours,  ihould  bee  in- 
confident  with  the  governmcnc  of  this  Sratfj  I 
confefle  I  underftand  nor. 

SECT. 


A  Survey  <?/  Presbytery^ 


SECT.  7. 

TheyMtift  nothcfreJctibedinDo&rJne. 

BV  T  is  this  all  >  No ;  They  muft  be  free  in 
Dodrine  as  well  as  Difcipline,  prcfcribed  by 
no  Ecclefiafdcall  Authoritie.  (r»)  They  muft  »  Their  Petitiohj 
preach  the  word  of  Godj  and  adminifier  the  Sacra.-  °'^^  * 
mentsaccerdingtothemindofChrjfi^  (And God 
forbid  they  fliould  not^htit  we  muft  beleeve  them 
more  familiar  with  Chrifts  mind,  than  all  the  Fa- 
thers of  the  Primitive  times,  or  the  ChiKch  ever 
fince,  or  admit  them  an  infallibilitie  of  spirit,  ai 
that  they  are  unerring.  -rU 

Whyfo?  belike  (they  fay)  they  are:  Somecf 
them  tell  us,  their  (x)  Presbyterian  Difcipline  is  *   ^^^^^  ^^'*' 
ihe  Scepter  of  Chriji^fvpdying  his  owtie  houfe  ac-cor- 
ding  to  his  hearts  deftre.   And  another  of  them, 

(  y)rhey  that  reje&  this  Difcipline,  refttfe  to  have  ^  ^^  J^*  Epiftlc  be-- 
\/i    >a       •  W  J    /         7.       .       ^«      fore  the  Supphcat.^wwo 

Chrfjt  reigne  over  them^  ana  deny  htm  %n  cjfea  :  ^^  £/. 

l[hAt  it  is  thetternall  counfellofGod.  This  Difciptinc  is  the 

They  are  as  well  privie  to  his  doftrine  as  his  '.frUn^rcK 
will.^  If  you  aske  them  Saint  ranis  queftioti,  kth  among  men. 
(z>)Howjhall  they  heare  without  a  preacher  ^  and  T.c.lib.i.pag.zio. 
hoTX>fiall  they  preach' except  theyhecjentf  They  1   Romao.15. 
will  tell  you,  (a)  The  Word  is  not   taught  by  the  a    h.  m.  euanget.  c'l  5* 
^ertMons  ofMinifters^  but  by  the  Revelation  of  the  -^5'f '  j     .0  ^«  . 
Spirit.  And  though  the  Prophet  makes  a  great 
CGinplaintj  (b)  My  people  are  dejiroyed fir  lack  of  ^   Hofea4^,' 

D  3  l{non>- 


hiotipledgt  ^  becaufe  thou  haji  rcje^&tdkijowkdgi^^  1 

'  ,  »^/f/  aifo  rejdf^  thee^  that  then  Jfhdt  bee  m   Tt/efi 

to  fm, 

c  Chrift  on  his  throne.      And  as  the  ApoRI^  Ayes,  (c  )  Somethings  are 

67 '  'haydtohs^nderfi^ood^vph-ichthsj/thatareunlear'- 

Jonf^g'tt  &X,  n^a,  and  unfaUrorcH"' they  doe  alfo  the  other 

is  by  Chrift  inwardly,  ScrJptHvei'untQ  theif  owne  dcftru&ion.  Yet  thefe 

gifting  a  man  for  th;  j^oj^  will  tell  you  learning  isnotneceffary ;  when 

the  Spirit  inclines  them  to  the  worke  of  the  Mi- 

nif\eTie5.chey  tnuft  not  cloubc  of  gifts.    For  faith 

*  3r,  c.  lib,  i.pn^.  180.  C^rtwright^  _'^  SVhen  f^en  are  called  t»a  phblique 

calling.,'  God  doth  pourejjk  gifts  on  that  perfbn^ 

ivhich  PS  called  fo  plentifully ;  that  hee  is  as  it  were 

fuddenly  made  a  netp  man  y  Vfhich   prefiimption 

they  derive  high.  •         ;       ■ 

God  (  fay  they)  rebuked  Mofes  ,  for  excufing 

hfmfdfeto-be  a  man  of  imperfect  lips.  And  chough 

d  I  Tim.  2. 7.  the  Apodle  faies,  (d)  I  am  ordained  a  Preacher^ 

which  implyes'theneeeflity-of  a  lawful!  Calling, 

whereiipoH  is  grounded  an  Article  of  t>ur  R.e-, 

c   tj  Article,       .\     ligiony^  (  e  ))Xhat  no  man  ought  to  Preach  or  fni* 

■'"       "     ■>.     nifiefitj)^  ^S^cramnts^b^fire  he  be  lavpfully  called 

:■-."■'■  fent  .♦  Y  with  which  accord  the  ConfeflTions  of  . 
/  HeW-C(»w:2.-c^:i8.  all th€ Reformed  Churches)   (/)  AndSt. P4«/ 
mmmZl'T''^  '*  feemes  to  rebuke  all  intruders  into  the  Miniftery., 
'£cigiqucart.i4-  askw^y  Ar^  all  T 6 Achsrs  <"  Cg)  Yet  they  contra- 

ipttemberg,m. zo,  r? to theexampkof the  Apoftle.inabfolute  op^ 
g  I  Cor.  11.28.  pohtionto  the  Article  ot  our  tveugion,  Will  an- 
h  is.v/f.av/.o/srojy.  fwer  St.  Prf/^/' in  the  Affirmative,  yes.  {h)  uij 
i'cord'iAvilU.prop.i6.  rdenmay  teach  to  get  Faith  (i^m.iy  preach  toCon^ 
^  Bjro^i^ifc:'p.^6.  gregations  to  exercif^  their  abilities, ^iy^{k)th at 

every 


A  Survey  <9/Presbyt^y. 

€  very  ntember  ef  the  Church  hatb  fvwcrte  tta»nut 
th^  manner  efadmini jhmg  the  S:(tcrai>itnts,   To 
reftraine  chi?  liberty  with:  tljetriis  the  Yoake  <?/CK%' Throne.  ? 
bondage.    As  alfo  to  enjo)  ne  a  decenr  forme  of 
outward  reverence, to  accompany  the  inward  de- 
i'otion  of  the  heart  ;  in  humbling  the  body  ^s 
well  as  the  foule  at.  the  reception  of  the  pledge 
of  ourfalvation  i  in  ftanding  up  in  the  profeliion 
of  our  Faith  in  the  Creed  5  or  in  celebrating  the  j^^y^lj^j^^ 
obfequiesof  fuch^s  dye  in  the  Lord,wich  thanks 
for  their  deliverance ,  and  with  prayers  for  the 
(urviving  faithful!,  with  the  Uke,  (  though  the 
MmmcbQm^nCwQT&bhyNovfervatifrfinitasJfi' 
cr^dend»^nifi'Cademadfi^incokndoi  '-^  -y.?!i  jp '='0  ;\-.  Wi.,,.- 

,  And  though  agame  it  be  unqueftioned  by  all  ^  ^bo^fArt,.^o. 
Ancient,  uncontroverted  by  moft  of  thelate  n  Mchna.par.z.fcLzz- 
Writers  •  and  concluded  in  one  of  our  Articles,  >/'^"'«  3"'^«c  'A  fi"- 
{^i_)  Tnai^sm^  Q^urd)  bath  pajverU  decree  Rttes:  i„^itut as  e^'e  ub  mpijs 
iitidCerem^nie^^wuh  which  agree  alf  the  Retbr-  pwnfieibusjfuvv^t  nm- 
med  Chureh«„  {v,}  m  «».  c.»W^..«,..And  :^*^™'^;;^„t^1^1 
that  great  light  or  Ger«/^»)'5(Mff/<iff(5r^<?«)  holds  ita  fupims  o'  dcmijjus 
them  infeparable  from  the  Church ,  iuds;inff  it  a  "f^^^s,  m  mnq^uam  fint 
\yicked  thwg,  {n)t&think€  that  all  Ceremonies  ^%  rdig'evk  Lmad-. 

were  inflit}ft*d  h  ^^^^^■'  Op^  j   recommending  to   verfun.mfi  aUqm  exter- 

us  an  excellent  pl^ce  of  the  ufe  of  Oremonies  in  '^'^  (^  o'^f^^^.yofitafpe^ 
Jejoffai  That  tt  may ve  awftnejfe  betwecfte  ud^  and  &c. 
y  on^  and  our  Generations  aft  eras '^  That  your  ChiU  H'ii'es  autem  prxelanm 
drenfMaynotfaytoour  Children  in  time  to  come,  .uf^ Jt/h^zT'T, 
yeehasve  napartin  the  Lard^  Bar  children  and  the  ve/lripueri,(^c. 
make  mrefuch  Ceremonies  injiitfited.  And  al-  fl-^^"'^'^rjff  ^f'^'l- 
though  we  are  required  by  the  Holy  .Ghoft ,  To  f^u\hidm!     '^"'' 

fnhmit 


»» 


kj4  Survey  of  Pregby  tery, 

I  Chrift  on  his  Throne  fahmit  toevcry  Ordinance  far  the  Lordffak?^  vphs' 
foL  24.M  !?•  *7'  ther  it  hee  to  the  King  asjupreaffta  5  or  to  G&^ver- 
^^^'  A  tI  ^^^'-  ^/l  /  ndtiru  Yet  3  thefe.men  tcich  u;  new  Doctrine  5 
^  Brownifts  write,  to  thit  fuch  Ordinances  as  thele ,  f  though  b5con> 
have  a  Lysmgicjor  form  niing  Chrift i^H  huHiiiitv  and  piecy.derived  from 
no^SokpeitBrr;  A-ntiqaxry,mipafed  by  Authority',  and  obedi- 
refut.pa£. 244.  ence c'oramanded by  Hoiy  precepr,  arean (Q)eva' 

r  The  Fatnilias  Ja>j,  ^j^if^^j^  (ff  chrifis  dccifb ,  md  fo  an  Apofldcy  from 
SdagcVnoacature"  chrrfi ,  and  fait  not  With  the Ubenie  oF  the  Go- 
H.  W.  spcrknd.  c.  3 « yj?e//,  vphsvevpith  chrift  hath  made  them  free.  (/>) 
T'(^fS:<^^h^nine:  I"  ^hich  exctavagandes  rachmen  runne  into 
-at  phi  appiutideTcvt  m  all  the  de(p2rate.Schifmesth?.c  formerly  tent  the 
fua    ivjcira  iMmt  Ghurch  :    In  thcif  Contempt  of  our  Servkei 

7)avidts   excmplo  (per'   _, .  ,  ^  .       r    •        n       ■     -n.     a    v  t   ' 

?;e«^tfi  e/e  omesLite^.  Rues,  and  Ceremonics,  being -©rowmftSjfv/;  In 
ras,  SicuthodieAnabap'  their, falfe  pretended  libercie,  FamiliftS)  (r)  la 
f™ft"yi«/»TS  their 

' tint  nifi  quod  omms  Set-  Anabaptifts.  (fmaticihomims)  (f)  Brain- ft ck, 
enti^  flint  expertes.  Qai-  ^^„  jfj^  times  p^Ji' w&uldtake  exafftplefrofh'^iviii* 
Pfalcn.  /^s'^o^Pf? 7 il 4^  to  defpife  all  learnings  as  now  our  AHahHftij^i^^\f&' 
t  (^mft!{v.itiir  tumaUi'  ondy  hold  thtmfdves  infprcdwith  gifi?  ^  hecanft' 
ti  chrifiuv^  lihmatu  ^ij  ^^^  ignorant  of  all  Literature.  TheCe  obe¥ 
gifimibM,  vdprxpofttii  none  Of-  their  pretended  Patrons.  BeK^  iaye^,> 
fuufpovte  nonpim  in  ^t )  he nkufes  chriftian  Liberty  ^  Kfhofuhniits  noi 
'^:::^iJ:}lT^^m^  freelytothe  MagiUrate.  hXid.MdanmMn  h^d%^ 
fratrei in  AniUt,  ( u)  *Tif  a  mortallfinne  to  viohite  the  Edi^s of 

■  I  ""iLf ;;";!  -^Z:  t'  ^"i:f '•"'^   Sf  •  """fi]"  f""^  'heie  men  good 
fidem^eiue  hovos  mores  Counlellj  ( X )  That  ivhich  is  neither   againfi 
i„jwigitur,  indifferenter  faith  ^  ftor  good  Manners ^  is  to  beehddtndi-ff^^^' 
iti^t"i^^CZ  rent ,  andobfirvcdforthiirfodety.-mlywlyom^^^ 

SQcictatt  fer-vdndumefi.  you  live,  '  >  •    -       '  ■ '' 

^iugufi\n.Epi£.yi%,ai        Zandncj  is  a  little  iharper  vvirh  them. 


A  Survey  of  Presby  tefie. 
(x)thefe  Anaba^tifis  flaieshe^  and  other f  ihat  x  'Ditundnii^unt  ^n*^ 
withdraw  thewfehes  from  the  Commnnion  of  the  ^^^llf/fj^^  E^ultA 
Church  either  for  the  fretendedvices  of  the  Mini' fHiucum, 
fter^  or  other  excHpes  are  to  bee  cut  off  front  the  Zanchji.  Tomes,  fc^^z:^ 
church  :  Bur  if  none  of  thefe  incline  them  to  the 
peace  of  the  Church, 

Their  pretended  great  Mafter  Calvin^  (a)  hath  *  caivin:Epifiok7)om: 
a  (harper  Rod  for  fuch  State-troublers :  Ampliffi-^  Frmaors^ifiQi.toUh 
me  Domine^  audio  effeDeofeditionum  getter a^  qu<e 
adverfusregemac  regttifiatHm  caput  extulerunti 
Aliienim  Cerebroft  quidem^videlifet^fub  Evange^ 
liiNomine^  fajfiminve&amvellent^  Alii  veto  m 
fuperfiitionibus  K^ntichrifii  ita  obdnruerunt,  nt 
earumrevulfiortem  ferrenonpojfifit  i  Acmerentnr 
quidem  turn  hi^  turn  ilUgladio  ultore  coerceri^  quern 
tibi  tradidit  Domintfs^  Cum  non  in  regem  tantntn 
infurgunt^fed  in  Deum  ipfum^  qui  ^  Regem  in 
Regiafede  conjiituity  d^  te  prote&orem  infiituif 
tHmperfon£^  tumetiamRegia  MajeSfatff* 


SECT.  8. 

They  mufi  befrtefrem  CiviU  Miferies, 

lit  all  this  tends  yetbut  to  free  their  Confci- 
lences,  over  which  ( fay  they  )  No  man  (b)on  i  Chdft  on  his  throne: 
earth  hath  power  in  matters  of  Religion  :  IfM  <>«_• 
fo, 'twere  more  toHerable. 

But  this  large   Confcience  will  have  the 
E  body 


c    Petitiorij  Note  so. 
View  of  Prelacicall 
Church,  and  divers  6 
chei'S. 


a    Thtir  Petition*  note 

51. 


jf    Genef.  14.20, 
f^    Nehem.io.gy.. 


a    Hebj.j^ 


a  Conttth.p.iji 


f^  Survcji  /?f  Presbyteiie. 

body  as  free  as  the  minde :  They  mufthold  their 
Conventicles,  intimated  by  that  their  Meeting, 
(c)  together  te  fray  for  the  King  atfd^een  with' 
OHtpnniJImtent^  orfdje  Calumniation' 

This  is  a.gap  to  let  out  Law,  and  take  in  liber- 
ty 5  Thus  may  they  infufe  what  Doftrine,  con- 
trive what  ftratagems ,  accumulate  what  multi- 
tudes they  pleafe ,  not  onely  without  punifh- 
mentj  but  without  cnquirieof  the  Lawes.  Nor 
is  this  all.  •  v  - 

FreedomeoftheirConfciencesand  perfons  is 
not  enough,  but  they  muft  hsve  their  purfes  and 
cftatesasfreetoo.  They  tell  us  they  have  Civill 
miferieSj  as  well  as  Ecclefiafticall :  fuch  as  (a^  7 he 
faymentof  Tithes, to  Parlbnsor  Impropriators, 
which  whether  due  Jure  Divine  I  difpute  nor, 
but  by  Civill,  Common,  and  Statute  Law,  wee 
know  they  are. 

The prelcription  is  fbmewhat ancient, for  'tis 
iM^Melchi'Ledick,  (y)blejTed\^hraham^  and  hee 
gave  him  tythes  of  all  things,  hnd  under  the  Law  it 
is  ordred,T/)/«^rz.)^^c  Levits  might  have  the  tythes 
in  all  their  Cities  of  our  tillage.  This  we  find  not 
difcontinued  under  the  Gofpell,  (a)  They  which 
are  children  of  Levi,  which  receive  the  office  df  the 
Frieflhood^  have  a  commands  ment  to  take  ace  or- 
ding  to  theLavp^  tythet  of  the  people.  And  Saint 
FanlhoXdi  it  good  equitie,  That  as  they  which 
wait  at  the  Altar,  are  partakers  of  the  Altar  5  even 
fo  hath  the  Lord  ordained^thdt  they  which  preach 
the  Gofpellffionldlive  oftheCofpell,    Our  Statute 

Lawcs 


K^  survey  of  Ptcshytet^, 

Laweshave  elhblilhed  and  incorporated  them 

into  cur  elates  ^  for 5  (b)  Tythes  in  the  hands  of  ^  ^mij.^  ••is.S// 

Lay'menbtcotttetemporallinherJtiinas^andfldaltbs     ''   ■ 

accountQd  Affets :  And  Laj/^ men  proprietarki  <?/ «;  ^"o^ex  Littlceon, 

tjthes,  (c)  haveeledion  either  to  <iie  for  the  tre-   ^  **^^' 

ble  value  by  the  Common  Law,  or  for  tliedoubte 

in  Ecclefiafticall  Courts. 

The  ancient  jurifdiftion  of  Court  Leets,  and 
Court  Barons,  (^;  they  would  fabcilly  under-  sions'purfoU  !^''^' 
mine  by  quarrelling  at  the  Oith ,  whereby  the  '  ^  "^^' 

Court  muft  fall,  Ex  confe^uefiti^  nklug  away  the  rooj^cfLittletonjoUss. 
ufecf  Juries,  or  the  teftimonies  of  witn€(les.^"^^'"'>'74. 
Though  we  find  them  held  in  the  time  oi Edward  foCchUa^^^^ 
the  ConfclTour,  and  Co  called,  Baranes  verd  qui  rfiinait  dtbtvt  in  curia 
fiamhde«t  curiam  d^fris  homnihus  :  andconti-  ^^^if^fef 
nued  ever  li nee.  Andmdeed  they  would  have  no 
Courts  at  all  to  have  jurifdiftic^  over  them,  as 
appearcs  by  many  of  their  writings ,  as  that  they  ^  n ,  r ; 

wwald  have  Courts  to  proceed  only  agaittfifins  hy  Chord.  yirgl-propiZaa- 
thewordofGod,  of  which  the  Presbyterie  would  ?r"\tno  K '>Lre « 
be  Judges,  and  (as  they  fay/  it  would  free  us  from  no  ground  of  an  oath. 
weekb  C^nrts,  •  --  -  Chu'^ch''^i""^^ 

The  would  withdraw  the  cuftomarie  right  of  e  Thch  petition,  note 
(e)  Herriots  taken  in  the  Saxons  times,  in  which  *  i- 
language  it  is  called  Heregeal^,  ox  the  Lordshefi-^'To^^l^^li^^^^^^^^ 
for  Here  is  Lord^  and  Geat  is  bejl»    And  in  fhe  Lambert,{oliJ9  58. 
LawesbeforetheConqueftit  isfaid,  (f)Whether  f  ^ive  quuimuridjvs 
byajudicjaUJentence,  or  bypdden  death,  any  man  intt]latmonuyiA,D\mivw 
dyes  intejiate^yet  the  tordfldalltaks  none  of  his  tmen  milmmumfuct- 
S,U,,  hut  that  n>huh  k  due  by  tar.  in  tk  name  of  a  ZCllZ^S. 

Merriot,  fibiajfumito. 

E  2  Nay, 


ASurvej/ofPreshytene, 

!  Nay,  they  yer  gee  higher,  even  to  the  denyall 

of  the  right  of  proprietie  in  our  eftarcs.    They 

^    Thck petition^         would  pay  HO  Fims/g  )do  ho  Boons  nor  Duties  to 

•^°^^  ^^'  their  Land-Iord-^jor  at  beft  bring  them  witnm  the 

Arbitrariejarifdiftion  of  the  Presbyter,  who 

rauft  be  Chancellour  betwixr  Lord  and  Tenant. 

Andthefe  things  are  not  reprefcnted  byway 

of  complaint,  or  fubmitted  to  the  confidcration 

and  determination  of  the  Parliament,  butlceme- 

to  be  inforced  by  intimation  of  a  ftrong,  occult, 

7)  Their  petition,        implyed  Covenant  ^  in  that  they  fay,  (h)The  con- 

■^L^^/i^' L    -rt  trarie  privtledges  Chriji  hath purckafedf  and  com^ 

Chnftonhis  Throne,    ^^^^^^^^,^  tofiandunto.  If  this  be  HOt  to  Tub- 

So  wee  may  recover  that  vcrt  Lawes,  I  know  not  vvhat  is  ?  It  is  not  onely  a 
^^'i^n^  ^aW^^T  defiance  to  Civil!  Government ,  but  a  Band  a^ 

With  Cliriit  hath,  made        •    n  • 
us  free,  and  for  which   gainlilC. 

his  bioud  was  powred       Nor  Law noLGofpell  fcape  fuchcenfuresr  If 

Sions  plea,  fol.3  3  ? .      Saint  Taul  teach  irs  not  to  refifl  authoritie,  but  ra- 

Rom. 14.1, 2.  ther  to  fitbmit  to  pumjhment :  Some  tell  u9j  tjnis^ 

2  Per.  1 3.  *4.  if  adamrerousdoSrine.  tauzht  by  feme,  by  the  per" 

ntjjjion  ojGodjorourJtnf.  Certainly  theie  are 

dangerous  doftrines  indeed,  anS  God  open  our 

eyes  in  time  to  fore-fee  and  prevent  the  confe- 

quences :  So  much  are  people  infatuated  with 

thefe  falfe  glolTes  of  pretended  libertie,  that  they 

.!j?iiiiouv;i«i:jL  are  eafily  feducedto  fwallow  fuch  guilded  pils, 

.;u:\ ;   V   -5,.       .'.  -\  with  open  armes  to  embrace,  with  eager  hands  to 

pull  upon  their  owne  heads  their  owne  mine. 

For  alas,  what  is  it  elfe,  but  to  enthrall  our  felves 

under  an  irrecoverable  fervitude,  whence  can  be 

no  redemption  ?  Is  it  not  to  make  that  choyce 

the 


H  Survty  tf/ Presbytery. 

the  Ifraclicesrefufedj  Whether  is  better  fir  j/ou^et"  Judges  9, ».  / 
ther  that  all  the  fins  oflerubbadt  (which  are  three- 
fiore  andten  ferfins}  reigneoveryouy  or  that  one 
reigm  over  yon  ?  Whether  (hall  wee  content  our 
felves  with  the  difpenfation  of  Lawes  our  felves 
affent  to,  can  at  any  time  expand,  or  contraft,  as 
we  (hall  find  them  too  narrow,  or  too  large  for 
the  circle  of  our  Ifle,  truft  the  adminiftration  of 
thcfe  in  the  hands  of  fix  and  twentie  Biftiops, 
whofe  Delegate  power  is  limited  by  our  Statute 
Lawes, whole  perfons  are  eafily  refponfall  for  any 
extent  of  that  power,  beyond  thofe  bounds  the 
Parliament  allots  them  ?  Or  fubmit  our  felves  to 
the  meerc  Arbitrarie  Government  oi  thrice 
twentie  fix  thoufand  Presbyters  and  Elders,  for 
more  than  fo  many  will  that  Hierarchy  amount 
to,  under  which  they  would  now'draw  us,  by  the 
platforme  of  their  new  pretended  discipline. 

In  which^  if  there  were  any  more  but  theSpe- 
cies  of  libertie,  that  we  (hculd  thus  be  quit  from 
all  Ecclefiaftique  fiibjedion  ^  (though  it  is  a  prin- 
ciple too  off  proved  true,  that  Over^muchdcftre  of  -Wba/iwr  Confeffion, 
hbertie  is  the  originall  of  Tyranny ,  evcrj  one  by  ^"^yrl^ny  is  more  tollc- 
being  too  free^  becowming  a  flave :  The  Vulgar  rabic  than  fuch  a  free- 
being  well  refembled  to  birds  long  c^aed  and  ^lomc  which  under  the 

,        °  !••»         I'lrn  r  title  of  hbenif  introdij- 

kcpt  tame,  which  breakmg  loofe  Itar ve  for  want  <.=th  iicentioufncfle,  and 
of  food,  or  become  a  prey  to  the  firft  deftroyer.  this  licentioufncs  brin- 
Yet  this  might  be  a  popular  motive  to  entice  ma-  fjl  '"  ""'"^'  ^"'^" 
ny  into  this  new  Coy. 

If  it  did  conduce  ro  a  reall  freedome,  I  widi  all 
men  ftiould  know,  I  hold  my  felfe  as.  free-borne 


A  Survey  of  Prcshytaic. 

as  any  man,  and  as  much  difdaine  the  thought  of 
fervile  fetters  of  Roralfh  Tyrannyj  or  an  infiikanc 
Prelacie,  as  any  he  that  lives.  But  I  ever  held,thac 
Nunqnam  li^ertas  gratior  extat  qimmCnb  Rege  pi  a. 
That  it  is  Law,  which  is  to  a  free  State  (not  a 
Band,  bur;  a  Guard  againft  oppreflion ;  That  it  is 
MagilTracie  which  levels  the  fcale  of  juOice  be- 
twixt power  and  povertie,  that  prelerves  degrees, 
i  All  Societies,  Oeco   diftindtion,  order,  (/)  without  which  no  Ghurch, 

nomick,  ^/viU,  and  Ec^   ^^  ^  ^^  ^^j^- j    ^^^^  ^^^^ 

clcliafhcUl,  doc  confiU  .1,         1  r-      '      1     r  nj  n 

bythcfubmiflioaoeia.  And  when  I  lee  inthefe  men,  no  Ihadow  of 
feiiours  to  fupcriours,  ^^uc  libertie,  by  pretending  legall  government  5 
ct'Mon^fcM/foil  noryetthe  falfeglofle  of  libertie.  by  extinguith- 
lovveth.  ingall  power,  but  that  it  is  evident  by  dednng  to 

Far^m  caucUticA  5.  /''^^^  the  power  of  the  keyes^  and  to  execute  Ecckfta^ 
pr<e(eptL  fiicall  cenfures  in  their  congregations  rvithin  them-- 

Petitio.ianacxcd,notc3  f'^^^''  They  have  no  thought  of  the  peoples  li- 
bertie, but  to  alTume  into  their  owne  hands  the 
^  fame  power  they  cry  downe  in  the  Bilhops,  >not 
to  qualifie,  but  to  exalt  it  above  all  moderation. 

The  ufe  thereof  being  fully  cxplaned  by  Expo- 
fitors  of  their  owne  ftraine,  to  import  no  leflbi 
than  to  trample  under  feet  thefacred  Crownes  of 
Kings,  the  power  of  Parliaments,  the  leats  of  Ju- 
ftice,the  ufe  of  Magiftrates^the  efficacie  of  La wes, 
and  make  themlelves  Chancellours  over  our  lives 
and  convcrfations,  our  wives,  our  children,  our 
fervants,  our  private  families,  and  our  cftates: 
That  any  hands  (houldhelpto  hoyfe  up  unlimi- 
ted, unbounded  Tyranny ,  I  have  nothing  \dt 
me  but  acclamation,  Q  fortnnati  nimiumbona  fi 

fua 


KjA  Survey  of  Prefbytery. 

fudnorint^  and  (hall  condnde  with  that  faying, 
^os  lupjter  vult perdere^  hosprius  dcMentat, 

Yet  (hall  I  freely  difplayforae  of  thofepofiti- 
ons,  which  divers  that  pretend  reformation  lelFe 
blulhtopublifh,  than  I  to  recite,  as  part  of  their 
new  Chriftian  dedrrine^  which  how  coii(in:ent 
with  the  M  onarchi  que  Government  of  this  S  tate, 
how  far  inclinable  to  an  Anarchy,  and  whether 
fubverfive  of  the  Lawes ,  or  deftruftive  to  the 
Subjeds  libertie,  I  (hall  not  take  upon  mec  to  de- 
termine 5  but  perhaps  the  confidcration  may 
pleafe  fome  others,  though  I  profelTe  I  only  write 
toplea(emy  felfe^  Liberareanimam,  Yet  I  hope 
no  man  will  be  (bfardifpleafed  with  mee,  as  to 
apply  what  I  colled  from  fome,  as  meant  by  all 
that  pretend  a  Presby  teriall  Government.  I  have 
charltie  tothinkc  many  men  that  way  enclined, 
have  good  intentions,  and  de(ire  reformation  out 
of  a  pure  heart:  But  I  am  confident,  the  more 
they  acquaint  themfelves  with  (uch  pofitions  as 
thefe,  thclefle  they  will  like  the  difcipline. 


SEC  T.  9, 

Spifcopacie  moji  agreeable  witb  a  Monarchiel 

HEre,  asinall  diflraded  States,  may  well  be 
applyed  the  poets  exclamation  5 
Tantum  B^eligio  potmt  fnadere  malomm  ? 
Not  that  Religion  itfelfe  (which  is  the  band  of 

peace) ^ 


4  Survey  vf?tQshyitvk. 
peice)  is  cau(e  of  evils,  but  that  it  is  made  the  utti- 
ail  cloake  of  all  feditious  difturbances  either  in 
Church  or  S rate. 

All  the  (hafts  of  malice,  every  clamour,  oblo- 
quy, (hot  at  the  order,  dodrine,  and  perlbns  of 
the  Bifhops,  how  ever  feathered  with  the  pretext 
of  pietie,  yet  ftill  light  all  in  one  center,  and  may 
appeare  to  be  levelled  all  at  one  mark. 

The  ponder  of  the  keyes  is  the  burthen  of  all  their 

',  fongs,  in  which  confifting  the  Eccleliafti que  Di(^ 

A?Uhe'fearfuUeiilsof  cipliue,  uot  Doftrine  of  the  Church,  it  becomes 

f^ii  and  iudgement  from  jathcr  a  queftioH  in  Policie  than  in  Divinitie,. 

of  chSingdomr'  whether  it  (hould  reft  in  the  hands  of  a  few  intru- 

fled  by  the  Church,  or  to  be  tranfmitted  to  the 

hands  of  a  multitude,  or  (as  our  Preacher  would 

^    Poiitions  annexed  have  it)   (^J  to  every  particular  membtr  of  the 

w  the  petition,  lo  Church. 

And  where  it  is  cleare  in  point  of  Divinitie, 

where  the  Scripture  hath  not  expreHely  (ec  the 

rule,  as  in  this  particular  it  is  left  doubtful],  fuch 

Separatifts  interpreting  that  place  of  LMatthewy 

t  Matth.i8.i7.  G)  Goetell  the  Churchy  tobee  the  whole  Congrc- 

sionspiea,  185*  gatioHj  whereas  others  conceive  it  clearcly  re- 

jTitus  2. 1^^  ftrained  to  fuch  as  are  (ec  in  aathoritie  by  the 

In  hii  rebm  de  fuhm  m-  Chutch,  out  6f  that  ofTttufy  who  being  cutru- 

u  certi  ftatuit  divind  ftedbySaiut  F4«/ in  the  Churches  of  Crete;  hee 

%%7maZori^^r'o  direfts  him  ta  rebuke  with  aU  authoritic:  And 

lege  tenendafunt,  <^  fi-  more  particularly,  A  man  that  is  an  heretique^  after 

eut  P'^,'^^''''ZIL^!Z'  '^^  firfi  ^nd  fecond  admonition ,  rejea.    In  this 

Tiiirtmlezum^tta content"         J  J  J  ,  ^   ">     J      ^  """ 

ptoresEcciefiafiiearU  con-  cafe,  we  mu(r  cxamme  the  ancient,continucd  pra- 
^fuetudmi  coercendifmt,  Q;\qq  g^d  opinious  of  former  times  and  Writers; 


o^  Survey  <>/Presbyt€rie. 
And  fuch  contemners  oR  the  cuftomes  of  the 
Church  (fayes  Saint -^//y?/«mre  to  be  compelled.  , 

But  truly  this  was  fo  little  queftioned  in  anti- 
quitie,  that  it  (eemes  it  was  never  doubted  by 
C4/z;f»  himfelfej  fayes  he,  I  never  thought  it  nfe-  <^'?''w'>.  Epifiol.^d  ca*,. 

fnU,  tocommt  the  pomr  of  excommnnicathn  to  ^Zllil^^Z^' 
everie  Paiiour^  for  it  is  an  odious  things  and  not  to  commuffieunJi  permitti 
he  approved,  but  would  foone  flip  into  tyranny,  and  ^^^''^f'^Pffioribta.  Nam 
the  Apojtleslep  another  cujtomc,  emplumprobubile,  erfA- 

And  indeed,  what  tyranny  were  not  to  be  loo-  ^'« ''-  Tyramidem  lap- 

ked  for  from  fuch  afpirers,  if  they  were  once  in-  %\  ZAtdermu"" ''^'' 

vefted  in  powenr  who  cannot  finothef  their  am- 
bition till  they  get  into  pofleffion  what  is  the 

pride  of  the  Prelates  ^  f  who  admit  the  King  the 

(upreme  head  of  the  Church  under  ChriO,  receive  - 

their  defignation  from  him,  hold  the  inferiour 

hath  not  power  over  the  fuperiour )  compared 

with  thefe  fpirits>   who  tell  u?,  That  Princes 

(m)  muft  ke  fubie^  unto  the  Churchy  andfubmit  *"   ^.  c.  Reply, p.  144, j 

T  It  I  1  I        Hofers  Preface 

their  Scepter Sy  and  throw  downe  their  Crownes  be-  Huic  difc.pUr,<e'omnes  or- 

fore  the  Churchy  and  lick_  up  the  dufl  of  the  feet  of  Hi  Prtnapes  (^  Monar^ 
/i&eCWc^  jail  which  is  applyed  to  their  Presby-  '^^f^^^^  f^^^ifuhmm^ 
teric,  alcribing  to  every  Presbyter  what  the  Pope  Traven,  de  Dt/dpuna 
onely  aflumes  to  himfelfe;  That  aU  Kings  ought  ^cdefi^^fet.i^z. 
tokiJ]ehisfeet.  ^  5.m»  Annals,.  07^. 

How  this  fuperintendencie  is  derived  from 
Scripture,  howconfonant  to  Antiquitie,  orcon- 
fiftent  with  the  glorie  of  a  King,  is  confiderable. 

I  conceived  God  himfelfe  had  an  high  hand  in 
the  inftitution  of  Kings  and  Prince?,  when  hee 
leaves  this  p/incip!e  in  the  Mo(aick  Law : 

F  Thou 


a    D€Uteron.i7;if* 

§    iSamucli5.i«« 
p    t  Samuel  i6.  i« 


r    t)lhi«l  4.  3 1* 


f  Hofea8.4^ 


t    I  Chron,  i7..tt. 


u    Proverbs  t (J.  ftfi 
"ft>     14.21. 
a    Daniel  2. 3 7* 


7    I  Samuel  »8. 1 7. 
f    iKingsn^ii* 


L^  ^/fr?;^)'// Presbytery. 

('«)  Thoufljdt  fet  him  King  over  thet^  lephom  the 
Lvrd  thy  God  (hill  chrtfe.-  And  in  that  hee  fayes, 
(0)  I  have  fet  up  Saul  to  he  King,  And  of  David^ 
he  (ayes,  (^)  /  have  provided  me  a  King,  And  of 
Salomon  (ayes  the  prophet,  (q)  God  made  him 
King  over  all  ifrael. 

Nor  does  he  difpole  Crownes  at  the  dire6^ion, 
or  by  the  advice  of  others,  (r)  for  the  moft  high 
rukth  in  the  Kingdome  of  men ^  and  giveth  it  to 
whonfoever  he  wili  But  i  t  Ihould  appeare  he  chal- 
lenges to  himlelfe  the  fole  proprierie  of  this 
King- making  Jurifdidion,  in  that  he  rebukes  the 
Ifraeiitcs,  faying  5  They  havefetHpaKing^  but  not 
bymee,  (f)  They, have  made  them  Princes^  and  t 
"knew  it  not. 

And  as  ininftitution,  fb  in  fucccflion  will  hee 
be  the  fole  difpoferof  Monarchies;  (t)  twill  raife 
up  thy  feed  after  thee^  and  efiahlifi  his  Kingdome. 
Nor  were  his  intentions  ftiretoletthisbe  atitii* 
lar  (hadov/oaely  without potv^,  when  wee  are 
told,  (u)  The  tfrath  of  a  King  n  (fs  mtffengtri  of 
death.  And  we  are  commanded  to  (i»)fearethe 
Lord  and  the  King,  {x)  Thou^  0  Kingy  (&yes  the 
prophet  Daniel)  art  a  King  of  Kings  :  for  the  God 
ofheaveH:  hath  given  thee  a  kingdome^  power,  and 
jirengthy  andglorie. 

And  as  the  oonation  of  this  power  is  folely  ht5, 
fo  will  he  have  the  revocation  too.  To  Saul  dyes 
the  prophet,  (y)  The  Lord  hath  rent  thy  kingdome 
from  thine  hand^  and  given  it  to  thyfervant  I>avid, 
And  to  Sdomon^{z)l  tfiillfitrely  rend  the  \ingdome 

from 


from  thee,  and  mil  give  it  to  thjifervantl  (a)  Hee  a  Daniel  s ,  ^i; 
removetb  Kings  ^andfittethnp  Kings  ^dyt^DanieU 

N  or  doth  he  (eeme  to  fub  jedt  them  to  the  que-  - 
ftionof  inferiours,  (ayes  Salomon^  Qf)  Where  the  h  icdefiaftes  8,4, 
ipordofa  Kingis^  there  is  power ^  and  who  mt^jay 
unto  hinty  Vi  hat  doeji  thou  f    (c)  Is  it  fit  to  fay  toa  c  lob  j  4, 1 8, 
King  (fayes  Job)  thou  art  mcked^  much  lefle  to  ex- 
pofe  them  to  violence :  But  his  pTCCcpt^id)Touch  d   i  chron;  16.  n, 
not  mine  anoyntedy  puts  a  guard  upon  their  facred 
perfons,  which  to  violate,  though  in  our  owne 
defences  is  a  breach  of  his  command. 

Though  Saul  perfecured  JO  avid  for  his  deftru- 
ftion,  yetiayes  he  to  Abijhai^  (e)  Dejiroy  him  not ^  e   t  Samuel  tC.  f^ 
for  who  canjir  etch  forth  his  hand  againji  the  Lords 
anofntedi  and  he  guiltlejje  ? 

And  left  theft  precepts  might  feeme  disconti- 
nued fpith  the  Law,  they  are  renewed  in  theGo- 
fpel; Q^ Submit y our f elves  to  the King^asfupreme*  f  « ^^^^^  *•  ^i-' 
An'd  as  if  bare  obedience  were  not  enough  with- 
out due  reverence,  wee  arc  againe  commanded 
(g)  to  fear  e  God^  and  honour  the  King.  i   ^  ^^'^  *• '  7i 

But  was  this  honour  due  to  them  onely  from 
the  Laitie  i  \^aron  the  high  prieft  called  LMofes 
the  chiefe  prince,  Lord  ^  (fi)  And  Aaron  faidy  Let  h  Exodus  3  2.  n,] 
not  the  anger  of  my  Lord  wax  hot. 

Or  was  the  power  of  Kings  (ubordinatc  or 
fupcriourto  the  Church  t  We  read  that  Jehofa- 
phat  KingofludzhappoyntedludgeSy  Lcvites^and  i    ^  QUton*  i>.  f.  8, 
friefts.t^i) 

And  was  this  power  continued  in  the  Royal! 
Race  of  Kings,  fincc  the  comming  of  Ghrift  i  or 

F  2  extinguiflied 


A  Survey  ofPtcsbytcriQ . 

excingaiQiedby  the  greater  lip;ht  ofhispre(encef 
We  findChrift  himfelf  rendring  Tribute  to  C<g- 
4  Mathew  2a.  19.       fir^Give  nnto  C^far  the  things  that  an  C£fars,{k) 
Or  is  it  that  Regall  rightjfixt  onely  to  the  Scep- 
ters o^Chriftian  Kings  and  Frinces  ?  We  find  the 
ancient  Fathers  gave  to  the  Thrones  of  Princes, 
(though  He<t//j^«f)  the  prerogative  God  left  them; 
Tertulliatttdhxx^  IVc  give  that  Reverence  to  the 
I  Tertuitltn.ad  ScapuUm,  ^fj^p^ronr^  as  belongs  both  tons  andhiuft ,  as  a  mm 
Coiimus  Jmperatorm  fie  fecond  to  God,  and  onely  leJfethanGod,  forfohee 
quomodo  er  nehii  licet,  jg  greater  than  all  others  being  onely  Uff'e  than 

foio  T>t(i  mivorem  j  Hoe        Or  is  this  right  lolely  annext  to  the  Imperiall 
eir//)/er  voler,  fie  enim  Xhtone  if  Hce  agaiae  tells  us  in  the  senerall, 

cmnibus  my  or  eft,  mm       .  i.-.;  x  r^     1      r  1    ' 

folo  vcro  T>eo  mimr  efi.     Kings  are  Onely  in  the  power  of  God,  from  whom 

m   TertuUi(in,ad  scap.     fjjey  are fccondy  after  mhomfirfi ,  before  and  above 
all  other s.Cm)  ^ 

Are  we  onely  to  be  fubjeft  while  they  rule  o« 
ver  us  after  our  owne  deli  res  ^  and  quit  fro^m  our 
n  ^)dcrgo  turhami'  /^Hggeance  under  pcrlccutiori?  St.  ^;»^r^Precei- 
dcferam,  coaSiw  repui-  vmg  Imperiall  Command  todelivertip  the  Chur- 
7iare  non  mvK  doterepo'  ches,  fayes,  Jf  J  bee  compelled,  I  way  not  oppofe : 
^:;^rXcfcCX  /«"»/  grieve.  I  may  mepe,  1  mayfigh  :  Againfi 
iites,Gotho$  quoquc^La-  ArmeSf  Sonldiers,  the  Goths  alfiy  myTearesare  my 

chtyme  mce  amcip'm.  n>eapons .  fuch  are  the  guards  oj  a- Brie fi^lfuither^ 
Taia   emm    Amhrofim  '^  "^    /  ^  ;  *       1^1        \j  /    \ 

CoytcioyiciMTu^ux-  can^nor  ought  to  make  Other  defence,{n)  :  vy 

tymum.  Butperhaps  fuch  piffive  piety  was  nrore  requi^ 

(ite  in  thoie  dayes ,  when  Gods  defigne  was  to 

convert  the  world  by  fufFeringj  nor  by  fQbduing  5 

^       r    when  the"  feeds  of  Religion  miift  bee  water'd 

mcfiEcdeJix,  With theblood of  Mittyrs,,  f  4/ .that!  nowin 

thele 


u4  Survey  of  Ptcd^ytQne. 
thefe  purer  limes  of  Reformation  Yet  wefeec^?/-  o  caivhui>}ftitut,L^. 
t;;wadvifesu3  nortofigVitforri^hteoufhefre^but  l-.*f:^*"^'^V   •/ 
tolurrcrrorrighteouinelie:  (<?)//  webeperjccuteci  pmcipe  vcxamurobpie- 
forgodlines,  by  anrmbious  and  facrilegioui  Prince,  tatem,  fubeatpdm^m  dc- 

let«>firftofanrcr.e^bcro.rilns,mchnod.Mt'f^:^;f,ZZr^^^^^ 
are  corre&ed  by  Godwithfcourges ;  this  rvill  bridle  dub'u    ■Domini   fligel^ 

enr iMpatiencewithhutMility  :  Then  let  ns enter'  {^^  caftiiantur.  ^nde 

1  .     ,         r  1  ■  11     hunalitai     impatitntiam 

tamethu  thought ,  that  *ttf  not  our  part  to  heale  nu[lram  fr^Kavit  i  fuc- 

fuch  dijiewpersjhat  this  k  our onely  remedy. to  ap-^  (unat delude  hac co^ita- 

pealetoG,dsaJfift.,»ce,i»r.hofehandarethehearnp:2'^^^^^^^ 
ofKings^andthewcUnationsofKingdomcs,    And  tantumcjfcreliquuvj,  ut 

in  another  place  he  tells  us,  (b)  the  Prophet /e-  '^ommopmimiorcmm, 

remtahc\t2iX\yXQ[O\vtSim%q\XZ[\\0n,(p)Ihavegt'  tg^da  ©-  regfiorum  in. 

-ven  all  thefe  lands  into  the  hands  c^/Nebuchad-  dinatioties. 

ntzzn  th^Khrg  of  Bakylon.  AncUt  Jl.aU  co«,e  to  ^lln/t'^lt 

faffe  that  ik^Nation  and KingdomewhichwiU not  buis  apud  -^crmlam  lo- 

ferve  the  fame  Nebuchadnezzar  the  Kinc  ^f  Baby-  "^"^i  ^"c«  tametfiprilixi- 

1  I  "l ;    X     ^- ;/      .       ^  ^  r    •  /  "7    "1  /         /      orem,  iico  von  pigcbit  re- 

iOU^ana  that  will  not  put  their  neck^unckrikeyok^  fern  ,  quia  totam  banc 

'fifthe  K>.  of  Bibylon^i hat  Nation  wiil  Ipitnifi  faith  quceftioncm  danjfim)  dc. 
x\^l^m^;wiPhthefvi>ord.andwiththef.wj:m\an^  f"'5*    ^-  .   ,    ^ 

•  •7     1.       -n-t  ^        ■;/,/  rill       i   P    Icrcmiah  27. 6, 

ix>ith  thepejtrlence^  untiU  I  have  conjumed  the  land,  8^ 

Therefore  hearken  not  jee  unto  your  Vrophets^nor  to 
your  Diviner  s^and  which  fpeak  unto  you  faying^)  a  ^' 

fiall  n ot ferve  the  King  of  Edbylon*  ifpake  alfo-  to  12. 

Zedechiah  King  oflud^h^  according  to  all  thefe 

7i>ord-sfiy-mg,'bHn^ your  necJi-i  under  they  *  ridemus  qumd  ohc 

K.ofdab)  \6n  ferve  hint  andhk  peopk  and  live^Wly  dkvtid  Dommts  tcmm 

willy  ou  dye  thou  and  th)  people  by  ihefword,  fefli-  '!Z  !o\l7oZtrit'!^ilTa^ 

lence  and  famine ,-  ■  as  '  the  Lord  hath  jpok,en  ag  ainft  lia,  ratiove  rifi  quia  reg^ 

the  Nation  that  will  not  ferve  the  King  oj  Babylon:  S^^J' 'J'^'^\^^^^^ 

Upon  which  placefaiesc:.»/t;/«*3  we  fvewhkrbbe-  AnX]/"^'  ^^^.^  ^^' 

F  3  dicnce 


A  Survey  of  Presbytery^ 

dience  the  Lord  will  have  given  to  this  wicked 

and  fierce  Tyrant  5   for  no  other  realon  but  be^ 

caufehe  was  a  King. With  who(e  counfeil  his  fuc- 

'f  Bexd  FpiJI.  t^^^dp'  ct^or  Beza"^  well  agrees.  lUud  folk  pncihus  & 

refrri.hcLjn  AvgUa  fu-  patientiafdftari poteji,  TheTriade  agawfi  this  ve- 

''f^-  name  k  Prayer ^  not  Vengeance,  IVe  muji  be  fuhje^ 

(I  Rom.  13.  5.  for Confcience fake*  iq)   Hence  it  is  deduc'd  and 

incorporated  into  an  Article  of  our  Religion, 

r  Articles?-  (r)  That  the  Kings  Majejiie  hath  the  chiefe  Co- 

vernt»ent  of  all  ejiates  Ecclejiafii call  and  Civilly  in 

all  caufes  within  hk  Dominions^  Which  is  not  the 

fole  pofition  of  our  Church :  But  with  this  agree 

f  Helvetian  Art.  16,     all  the  Reformed  Churches  ;  (f)  And  more 

Ba^H,  ^rt.j,  particularly  the  French  Church, whofe  Article  of 

Bohem.  Art.  t^i        "      f.    f    •        •        ^     v  n  t  1  # 

Bei^,  Art.  36.  Rehgion  IS,  (  t)  Wee  muff  not  oneiy  endure  and 

^ugufi.  ^rt.  \6,  fuffer  Superior/  to  Governs^  but  alfo  wee  ntuji  ho' 

/^^Moulins  Buckler  of  ^^^^  and  obey  them  with  all  reverence  folding  them 

Faith.  Art,  ^o^fo^  53  j.  forGods  Lieutenants  and  Officers ^whom  he  hath  ap- 

poyntedto  exercife  a  Law  full  and  an  H  oly  charge: 

we  mufi  obey  their  Lawes  and  Statutes, pay  a/l  Trh 

butes  andlmpofis^bear  theyoke  ofSubje^ion  with  a 

good  andfree  will^although  they  be  Infidels ,T here* 

fore  we  detefi  thofe  that  would  rejeB  Superiorities 

andefiablifijcomntunityofgeods  I  and  overthronf 

allcourfeofjujiice* 

\  But  yet  perhaps  the  policy  of  States  have  found 

this  Supreame  power  prejudiciall  to  the  good  of 

Common- wealths  5  and  the  Lawes  of  God  muft 

^Hi^r.  tuiofm.  syn*  giveway  to  the  Lawes  of  Nations,  fince  Salui 

tag.juTum,  /.  47.  ca,  17.  populi  Suprema  Lex :  But  experience  tells,  us ,  the 

^'  *  •  K  omanr  were  quickly,  wearie  of  their  change  ofGo- 

*  vernment 


vtrnmentfromaKing  to  a  ^nate^  and  in  nine 
y tares  reduct  it  to  a  Dilator ,  finding  by  experi-  . '' 

ence ,  that  commands  depending  upon  divers  * 

voteSjbegetdiftrad^ionand  Ruine. 

AndHiftorieinformesus,  that  the  5/><7r^rf;f 
Srate,  wherein,  The  Kmg,  theNobilitie,  and 
the  people  had  their  juft  proportions  of  power, 
adminiftration  of  lufticCjand  obedience,  fubfifted 
above  eight  hundred  yeares  in  a  happy  and  flou- 
rifliing  Condition  s  whereas  Athens  being  a  po- 
pular State,  (carceftood  out  an  age.  The  neareft 
degree  of  government  to  a  Monarchyj  being  ever 
longeft lived,  and raoft glorious,  moft  ftfc  for 
the  people,  as  was  feen  in  Rome  j  when  the  Com- 
mons to  fupprefle  the  power  of  the  Nobili  tie  in 
theConfulls,  aeated  the  Tribunes  of  the  people; 
who  fharing  in  government,  would  (hare  in  ho- 
nours, and  fortunes  too,  which  occaffoned  the 
Agrariin  Law:  That  no  Citizen  (hould  have  a-  ntmiivhn, 
bove  five  hundred  Acres  of  Land:  and  that  the 
people  fbould  (hare  equally  in  all  Conquefls :      % 
This  bred  the  quarrell  of  Sylla  and  Marius,  con- 
tinued in  errand  Tompey^  andende^  in  the  ru- 
ineof  Kome, 

Fromthefeobfervations,  T^d/^/drawes  this 
conclufion,  VwusImperHcorpts^nnTmanimore-  Tacitus  Atrnth.  i. 
gendfffn  tfidetnr.  It  if  netejfarie  the  body  of  one 
Empire  fionld bee  governed  by  one  heady  which 
muftnot  bee  barelya  Titular  head,  aftiado#of 
power  without  the  weight  of  it :  forLawes  well 
made  availe  Rttle ,  unlefle  they  be  entrufted  to  a 

hand 


hand  thar  hath  power  to  exadt  execution  of 
them. 

Nor  doe  I  obftrvc  that  the  (e  principles  of  Di- 
vinity or  Policie  doe  ellentially  differ,  but  ratjier 
feemstobeeihe  iame  with  the  fundamencalls  of 
the  Lawes  of  thi$  Kiugdome.  ForikyesBra^^n 
the  learned  Hifiorian  in  the  Genealogie  of  our 
Lawes.  (  «  )  To  thk  end  was  a  l(ing  created  and 
u  \cl^'adh'oc  crclm  eft  chofen^tkat  he  might  4oe  Jujiice  to  all  mmybecaufe 
(s'eUam,  ut  jufiimm  jj'  fjjcne  wcre not  One  to  admintfter  Jujiice^  peace 
•^^'''^^^""''*'fS%?.!?fi*  would foone  be rootedout.andit  were vaine  to enaU 
unt  pax  dc  faciU  pojit  Lawesy  or  talkie  oj  iHjtjcCj  ij  there  were  not  one.  to^ 
cxfm«jwi,^^^J"P^^^^^  defendthe Lawes. 

deTc^er  \u%tum  y'^ntft  Who  muft  be  one  not  fubordinate  to  inferiour 
ept  ([uikgcs  tucrerifr.  powers, but  fayes  hee  i  Hee ought  to  excellalf  his 
//Sr'P&f/,  r«bjU1s  inpswcr:  And  hee  muji  have  no  equall, 
parent  autcrn  habere  non  muchleJfeafMperioHr^  chiefely  in  adminijiring  1H' 
debet,  vcc  multo  fotm  a-^^  .  xhatjtmay  truely  bee  faidofhim  ^  Great  is 
fitm  exhibend(i,ut  dica^  our  Lord  {our  Kmg) great  fs  his  vertue,  , 
tur  vere  dt  eo ,  magnus  ^nd  hcnce  is  it,  that  fuch  Princely  jurifdidion, 
JirmTif  ""^'"'^"*  Superiorities,'  and  authority  over  Ecclefiafticali 
C.iufes  and  perfons,  is  annexed  to  the  I mperi- 
X-  I  E/it.  I.  ^1^  Crown  for  ever  by  our  Statute  Lawcsj  ^  And 

«  Oatho£Suprcmacie.  thatiu  the'oach  ofSupremacie  (».)  wenotonc- 
J  Eiix,  i«  ly  acknowledge  chf  King  ro  bee  ihcfupreawe  Go- 

-  vernour  in  all  Ecckfia/iicail  things  or  Ca^fes ,  but 
are  fworne.  That  to  our  power  wejhall  ajfiji  and  de- 
fend all  lurifdiB  ions  yPriviledges^  Prehewinencesj 
and  Authorities  Hnited  andannexed  to  the  Ifftpe- 
rJal.lCrown^\  .'tV;  , s-^i'-iv;. -^^i^-i-f  si' '  j-r- 
ln  this  f^^/^  Ke^irf,  this  Gradation  ofEloyall 

^  Monarchy, 


KjiSuTvtp  o/Presbytery.. 

Monarcby^  we  can  finde  nothing  incongruous  to 

the  faith  or  liberty  of  a  trae  Proteftant.   But  wee  . » '' 

fee  our  (elves  bound  by  Oath  to  acknowledge 

and  fupport  that  Regall  Government  our  Sra- 

tures have eftabiifh*d,our  Lawes  approved  :  Hi- 

ftorie  reprelents  moft  happy,  policy  recommends 

as  (afeft ,  to  which  all  proteftant  Churches  con- 

feflc  due  allegeance:  All  Primitive  times  yielded 

full  obedience,To  whole  Throne  Chrift  himfelfe 

yields  Tribute ,  To  whole  power  he  commands 

fubmiffion  and  reverence  j  To  whole  jurildidi- 

on  iscomrairted  the  defignation  of  Biftiops  and 

Judges,  whofe  perfons  God  will  have  (acred, 

whole  Actions  unqueftionable ,  whole  luccellion 

he  himfelfe  determines,  whofe  Kingdomes  hee 

dilpofesjand  whole  Eledion  is  the  All-Makers 

Ible  prerogative. 

Now  whether  thele  Crownes  and  Scepters 
(hall  be  held  Jure  Divino  ornot,  I  take  not  on 
me  to  determine :  butlmay  be  bold  to  deliver  *  Mouiins  Buckler; of 
DU'M0ulJftt  owne  words,  (  x^  Whofoever  huil-  ^^'"^'f'^*  ^^'^' 
deth  the  authority  of  Kings  upon  mem  in/iitutio/t/, 
and  not  upon  the  Ordinance  of  God  ^  cutteth  off 
three  parts  of  their  authorities  and  bereaveth  them 
of  that  which  affureth  their  Lives  and  their  Crowns 
more  than  the  guards  of  their  bodies^  orpuif- 
fant  Armie^  which  put  t  err  our  into  fubje&s  hearts^ 
infiead  of  framing  them  to  obedience:  Then  thefi. 
delityoffubje&swillbefirmeandfure^vphenitfljall  ,  „  . 

be  incorporated  into  piety ^  andejieemedto  be  apart  "  '"' 

of  Religion^  and  of  the  Jervice  which  men  owe  to 
God.  G  SECT. 


A  ^«rz»eyi>/Prcsbyterl€, 


i  tpfhf^  4i 


SECT.  10. 
Prethjterie  inconJijicKi  ivith  Monarchy; 

i 

]N  the  government  cf  the  Stare  as  now  ifc 
(lands,  there  being  then  (b  much  Harmonic^ 

( though  it  may  (bme times  bee  cut  of  Tune  ) 
Let  us  examine  this  new  found  Difciplinc,  how 
confiftentwithaPr<?/f/?<j«f  Monarchy,  leaft  by 
admitting  it  ex  improvifo ,  we  may  (boulder  Re^ 
gem  ex  folio ,  €^  Religionem  exfolo ,  A  King 
out  of  his  Throne ,  and  Religion  cut  of  the 
Land, 

*Tis  a  fairefpecks  of  piety,  to  cry  out  for  Re- 
formation,and  too  manyri  feare)for  this  (hado^v 
are  ready  to  let  goe  the  fubftance  :  Never  was 
Gods  Church  fo  pure ,  but  (bee  had  her  Ipots  5  it 
wil  I  be  perfeft  charitie  to  wipe  them  out ,  but  k 
argues  none  to  make  them  greater;  In  (lead  of 
Reforming,  fome  fo  deface ,  dcforme  her ,  that 
one  would  (tarce  thinke  there  were  Chriftians  iti 
it;  when  for  the  mt>(l  part  the  greateft  flanderer 
proves  the  greateft  Hypocrite. 

If  the  Intention  were  Hnitie  ^  the  way  to  pre- 
fervcit,  is  by  meeknelTe  <7f /p/r/if  in  the  hand  of 
peace:  butt  hole  that  expedl:  any  from  fome  of 
thefe  Difciplinarians  delude  themfelvesj  If  wee 

may 


J  Sftrvey  of  Pr  esby  x^U; 
may  believe  tt'cir  uwue  writings  ( hcwc\*t*r  wee 
may  hope RefL-fuiationmighc qualitie chcrn  j  wc  ,  ^  =" 

Ihaii  hmic  chey  haV?:  tK>  ({xdx  dcligiie. 

Some  tdlus  ijialniythe  %i/vopa|{  tlovc^rn-  Arir;....toiond,  ««,>{. 
merit  mall;  noe  be  m(}ciert4i€U;  nor  rejerved^l^ut  ps-  en.  yV  u , 
fmtly  m(iv0boily  iak^n  away.     The  Bifljops  wW?  i.^i!"' ?''''^''*'y  ^r««« 
£/c  mierly  extirputedyno  le.jjg  thnrt  the  homupjs  reo-  ons  arc^  hkc  to  be  the a- 
ted €ftf  t hi  very  name  0Ji  Tarquiri?,/j?  fhetjranny  ^o^'^nnent  or  all  Na- 
they  b^d  exerafed,    A  Wiudio  fann^  or  cieanfe  nnil  syonl  pka,  fd  ^,  ,50 
notjlrvt:  the  tHrne  .,  hut  it  wuji  bee  afull mightie  Chnft  on  his  Throne. 
wind^  to  root  upland  carry  arvay  the  vcryjoundciii'  V  '^'^° 
en oj  their  being,     Ic  is  lioc  lopfiftgj,  nor frunin!^^  Syo'ns  -^lea.  196'. 
norjjjavirtg.norparingthenailtj  ofthisiviil  that  Syoas  plea.  i8j. 
will fer  vet  urn  c^  nnUjJeyee  plnck^up  thefejiumps  vf 
Dagon  by  the  vny  roots^tbeir  naylet  will  grow  ran' 
kfir  than  ever  they  did.     Except  /  hifjl  range  pre  be 
removed^  the  Lerdf^infi  make  the  confumingfire  of 
his  wrath  breaks  out  upon  us,      if  it  live^the  Com'  i  ^7. 

mon-wealth  muji  dyc»  Nay,  feme  of  them  got  (b 
farre,  astoprofefle.  The  Church  Mif^'fisrie  and 
vpprfiip  in  Er\^zv\6^4re all x^ntichrifiian^^  from  *  g.  Propofitions  prin- 
which  all  Gods  people  are  in  dniie  and  confcunce  '<^^  I>v   an  unLnowne 
hound  to feparate  themfelves  ',b;  thefe  obloquies  J  ee^  Protii-  agai^.ft  the  H,e. 
jfe>^(  as  they  confefle^  tojl/rre  up  a  holy  hatred  ra.chy,  as  n  AnticLd- 
^therrelateSy  '^eventodajh  their  Brains  againjt  ^-^  ^'^^.^^^^J* 
ithejioner.   By  fach  clamogrs  chefifning  in  the  (hop:.,  Z6  '^^^  *°  ^** 
vuigar  a  difcontented  Humour  (which  is  the  *  Syons  plea,  150. 
common  fource  of  Schifnie  and  Herefie )  there-  ^  ^P'^^-^*°  ''^''  ^"^«' 
by  the  bet  fer  tobroach  their  new  in  verued  Di(^ 
ciplinej  built  upon  no  other  ^rf//,ba£  the  peoples 
diflike  of  Poperie :  as  If  the  oudy  rule  to  draw 
oD  G  2  out 


A  Survey  0/ Presbytery, 

out  the  line  of  our  Religion  by^  were  to  rake  the 

dircft  oppolite  in  all  things  to  that  of  the  Church 

*^  That  Hciigion  moft  oi  Rome  ^  *  wheu  we  know  that  fuch  as  travel! 

pure  which  hath  Uaft  abfolutely  Eaft  and  Weft  from  one  another,  if 

Chtftt'K?o,«T;;  they  live  to  it.lhall  meet  in  the  famelinethey 

parted,  whereas  parallells  continued  to  any  ex-l 

tent  doe  never  inrerfare. 

The  firft  quarrels  of  the  greateft  breaches  in  the 
Chnrch  have  for  the  moft  part  bin  in  points  of  dif.' 
cipline:  And  for  all  the  noife,  fbme  of  the(e  men 
make  of  diflentionSc  enmity  in  rices  and  ceremo- 
nies, which  are  but  fbadows  5  we  (hall  find  chat  in 
the  moft  eflentiall  parts  of  Di (cipline,  which  con- 
cerne  the  fway  of  Church  and  State,  the  /ubje<ai- 
on  of  Prince  and  people  to  the  tyranny  of  their 
Difciplinc,  they  doe  not  onely  (hake  hands  again 
with  Poperie,  but  with  the  ftrideft  of  them, 
( the  Je(uite5 )  clearely  fever  them  felves  from  the 
Jcfuits  Dedaiat.  motu-  Tenecs  of  the  Proteftant  Church  5  both  (ides 
^m.cap.zo..^o^/ii.m.  laying  this  for  a  fundamental!,   both  agree  for 
'^  '  the  utter  abrogation  of  all  Epi(copal]  juri(gli- 

ftion:  Contrary  to  the  36*  Article  of  our  Re- 
ligion. 

The  Church  fo  (ubdued,  (ee  how  they  fway  the 
Civill  State,  wherein  it  will  bee  ob(ervcd  whe- 
ther the  Luke- warme  Proteftant  (  as  they  call  us) 
or  fuch  zealous  (cparatifts  be  likeft  to  give  fire  to 
that  Popifti  powder,  which  would  blow  up  i« 
fumum  all  Kingly  Supremacy,  or  Magi(teri- 
all  Supcrioritie  over  the  Independent  Hie- 
rarchie. 

Gods 


jiSurve^f  <>f  Prcsbyterie. 

God  (ayes,  Thou  pott  make  him  King  whom  I 
fhallchufe^  ana  this  rale  we  admit  for  Law.  Some  . " 

'-  that  pretend  to  be  presbyteriahs,teIlus,(:c)iCjW/,  *  cm/^hb^de  ohedh 
Prmces,  ana  Governours  have  thctr  autbortUe  ef  Popuiojui  tfi  utimperium 
the  people^  and  upon  occafion  they  may  take  it  away  tut  lelit  defer  at, 
againe,  as  men  may  revoke  their  Proxies  and  Let^  ^^^^^^'^  ^'  '"'"  ^'^""'^ 
ters  of  Atturney,  The  Jefuices  come  not  much  m  reinu  bomimmpote' 
(hortof  this, for  (ay  they,  Inthekingdomeofmen  fi^  '"f.?«  ^fi  <i  popuio, 
the  power  of  the  King  if  from  the  people,  becaufe  TeZT  ZcZu.frz, 
the  people  makfs  the  King.   To  a  bad  prince  God  cap^i^. 
hachlaid,  I  will  rend  the  kingdome  from  thee,  and 
every  true  protcftant  expefts  the  performance, 
not  taking  the  ftafFe  out  of  Gods  hands,  who 
fayes,  {y)  To  mee  belongeth  vengeance,  and  /  will  y    Dcuteron«5  2,35. 

repay.  Romans  12,19, 

One  of  thefefayes,  EvillFrincet  ought  to  bee  Gooi«^^;, pag.i4<j.,i45« 

depofed,  and  inferiour  Magijir ate f  ought  chiefly  to 

doe  it.  Witht]:\isBellarmine^?[,recs,^  Suchbytbe  1   Bcikrmiv.  lib.  3.  de 

conjent  of  allmay^  nay  ought  to  be  deprived,  and  jJ  fcvfu  mmum  poteft.md 

thft  was  not  done  in  old  time,  it  was  for  want  of  debet pmarifm  dominie. 
firength  to  doe  it. 

Salomon  (ayes,  Whofjall  fay  unto  a  King,  What 

doejithou?  Go0dmante\sus,"judges  ought  to fum-  Obedijncfjpag  m. 

mon  Princes  before  them  for  their  crimes^  and  to  ^^^^^^rofti^c. 

proceed  againfi  them  as  all  other  offenders.   Here  I 

find  they  have  oatgone  the  JefuitjjD^z^/^  thought  - 

no  man  could  ftretch  forth  his  hand  againft  the 

Lordsanoynted  and  bcguiltlefle.  Yet  this  Dif^ 

ciplinarian  fayes,  when  Magifirates  ceafe  to  dee  9oodmaVfpzg.i$^, 
•  their  duties,  Qod  giveth  thefword  into  the  peoples 

bands.  Nay,  a  private,  man  having  fome  fpeciall  Obedience,  pag.uo. 

G  3  inward 


A  Survey  <>/ Preshyterie. 

inward  motion  may  kill  a  Tjtdnt*  In  this  the  Je* 
fdite  h  too  flow  paced  coo,  hee  thinks  fie  to  give 
^  Tyrannic^ guhttnMs,  him  a  publike  triail  firft;  (as;  Marry  finttncs  gi^ 
jujie  acquifito  'Domino  ^^^^  f^gff  any  man  may  hi  ths  executioner^ 
fl^l'tit'et'-  suanz  is  more  moderate,  (a)  tf,  Cmh  hee,  »ft 
Kud  sa.  Fop£  depofeth  a  King^  hee  mfif  notis  driven  avi^ny^ 

a    siP^piRumdepo.  ^^^^ji/^^  it^t  by  thifi  to  whomthe  Pif^e  (Jjoll  Give 

rit  expcUi»  vdintcrfci,  order  tO  doe  it ^ 

quibusipfcideommferit,      j^g  Apoftle  bids  US,  (h)  Submit  to  the  King 
T/emXM''''         ^f^^preme,  and  to  this  the  proteftanc  fwearesal* 

h     iPecers.ig.  legCanCC. 

c    T.  c.  lib.ipdg^i.  They  fiy,  (c)  The  efidlifliing  of  the  Presbyterie 

is  the  juU placing  of  C') rift  in  his  kjngdome  5  that 

K ings  and  Princes  mttft  befubjeB  tofome  parocbiall 

d  ChrfiuiEickfimre-  Presbyter:  with  whom  concurs Bellarmine,  (d) 

gendmPetro  ^  Ep'fco   chrift  (fayes  hcc)  committed  his  Church  to  bee  go- 

pu,  comm^fitrov  Tihm  ^grnedby  Peter  and  his  BiJJjops.not  by  Tiberius  and 

de  Lmisy  cap.7,  his  officers.  And  in  the  Annotations  on  the  Rhe- 

Annot,  on  1  Pct.2.15  •     niifli  Tcftament,  Kings  and  Princes  muft  befubje^ 

untofome  Bifljop. 

Ch  rift  commands  us  obedience,  to  pay  tribute 
to  C^far :  The  ancient  Fathers  direft  us  to  beare* 
with  prayer  and  patience  the  perfecutions  of  bad 
Princes:  Nay,  the  very  Heathens  found  huma^ 
nitie  (where  Divinitiewas  wanting)  toqualifie 
TadtmAnmls^ii,  this  Barbarifitie:  Tacitus  advifes,  To  heare  with 
the  rio^s  and  covctoufnejfe of  Kings^  as  with  bar- 
renneffc  and  other  infirmities  of  nature  i  for  whiles 
there  are  men  there  will  bee  vicesy  but  they  cannot 
continue  long^  and  will  he  recompenced  when  better 
come.  And  he  leaves  us  this  his  golden /entenee^ 

Men 


A  SuYvty  of  Presby  ter i  e. 
Me«  Are  to  reverence  things  pafl^  and  C^mit  id  ^ 

ifhat  isprefent^andjhouldvpipjforgoodprincesihut 
whatfoever  they  are^  endure  them.  !..  \ 

But  fomeof  thefe  pious  Presbyterians  willnei- 
ther  be  guided  by  precept  nor  prefident.  They 
hold  it  H9t  enough jorfubje&s  not  to  ohey^  hut  they 
ntnH  withfiandwicked  Trinces^  (e)  The)  nnufi  take  ^    Goodmdti,  p3g  45, 
nf  armes  againji  them,  (f)  They  vtay  kjll  them  ^  /^  EngUnds  complaint 
iHonfters  and  cruell  beafis  (g)  :   And  if  neither  the  againft  the  Canons. 
Ma^ifirates  nor  the  people  doe  their  office,  in  depo-  i    ^oodmav^g^. 
fing  or  k^Utng  of  them,  then  the  Mmijter  Muji  cx- 
commnnicate  fuch  a  King^  (h)and  any  Oifwifier  obIdi*n"'foT  n6^^* 
J9fay  doe  it  againji  the  great  eji  prince*  ^  goodman,  Ic)^' 

^\  Nay,  if  he  be  a  juft  and  gracious  Prince  towards  J".^.P<irt.s.  Reply  ^5. 
his  people,  yet  hee  mult  Jcarnc  obedience  to  the 
presbyters,  otherwife  (ayes  Barrow^  ^  A  Prince  *   2^'^^o»'ef  Difcouxfc^ 
contemning  the  cenjures  of  the  churchy  is  to  be  djf- 
franchized  out  of  the  Churchy  and  delivered  unto 
Satan, 

Here  the  univerfall  Shepherd  welcomes  his 
brethren  to  the  Romiih  fold ,  whofe  principle 
it  is,  (i)  That  being  Pajiour  hee  may  fimt  uf  and  '   ^f'^^J-ww- '»  ^(^A^- 
defiroy  furious  Rams^  that  is ^  Kings  which  are  not  S;>;iBucklcr,fo.547. 
obedient  to  him.    And  the  Jefuite  tejs  us,  that 
(k)  An  excommunicate perfon  can  exercife  no  aU  k   "Collet  ih.i.deJvfii- 
of)Hrifdi&ion.  And  then  iayes  Toilet,  (I)  Wee  doe  \''''rTncT7h^''1'dc  ;«1 
net  hold  them  for  homicides  ^  who  being  tranfpor  ted  jirua.saccrdotali,  c.$8^ 
VPith  zeale  of  the  holy  church  againji  the  excommu-  Vrbanmfccundua. 
nicate^Jhall  chance  to  kjll  one  of  them. 

Here  kt  the  JoyaU  heart^AProteftant  ftand  at 
.gazea  while,  and  confider  what efFeds  the  power 

of 


K^  Surveji  of  Prefbytery, 

of  thekeycs  being  thus  diftributedjmay  produce, 

when  his  King ,  his  Soveraigne  3  ro  whom  hee 

owes  religious  dutie,  legall  obedience  ,  and  to 

whom  he  is  (perhaps)  bound  by  oath,  fliall  by  the 

breath  of  every  Schifinatike  pa  (lour  of  a  pariftx 

beblowne  into  helJ,  and  he  muft  then  abandon  all 

reliefe  or  communication  with  him,  to  whom  he 

is  bound  by  allegeance. 

To  the  poyfon  of  (uch  devillilh  doftrinsjef  the 

cares  of  all  good  Chriftians  bedeafej  from  the 

infedion  God  turne  their  hearts  j  and  with  the 

Pfalmift  let  al  true  proreftants  pray  to  the  King  of 

Pfalmc  6 1. 6.  Kings,  That  bee  will  prolong  the  Kings  life  and  his 

Pfalme  21.7.  J e ares  as  many  generations.  For  the  King  trufteth 

in  the  Lord,  and  that  through  the  mercii  of  the  Mofi 

Verfc  8,  High  he  may  not  be  moved.   But  that  his  hand  may 

find  out  all  his  enemiestand  his  right  hand  fhofe  that 

hate  him, 

SECT.    II. 

rresbyterieineonfiflent  vpithcivitl  Magifiracie. 

BVt  may  bee  thefe  King*  Gurbers  will  bee 
themfelves  conformable  to  the  Civill  Magi- 
ftratCj  and  to  keep  the  power  of  Kings  with' 
Jna  tether  is  no  hurt.  Though  the  light  of  Na- 
*ture  encline  all  creatures,  the  experience  of  all 
Nations  inftrud  all  people  to  fceke  a  head  to  that 

bcdy, 


A  Survey  of  Preshytcne. 

body,  in  which  th^ycontradfc  thcmfelvesby  con- 
ferring power  CO  that  head ,  to  conserve  thofe 
rules  of  government  or  order  they  prefcribe  for 
their  more  (ecuricie,  as  well  as  Lawes  ro  regulate 
the  exorbitancies  of  unbounded  Nature,  which 
femper  mtitur  in  vitium:  Ycc  all  power  that 
growes  too  great,  growesfufpcft  and  dangerous. 
And  this  perhaps  may  be  doubted  cafily  to  dege- 
nerate from  fecuritie  into  Tyranny:  A  nd  there- 
Tore  one  preicribes  us  a  remedy,  and  tels  us,  {m)  m  f{'Jov,Hift.pag.j43; 
That  God  fhtth  afpointed  the  Nohilit^eto  bridle  the 
inordinate  appetites  of  princes,  and  info  doing  they 
cannot  he  accnfed  as  refijiers  of  authoritie.    And 
fome  of  thern  teJl  thcfe  great  officers,  whence  this  <^oodmn,  pag.j 4.' 
Ibperintendcnt  power  is  derived  to  them :  iFher- 
b/Cfayesoneof  them)  came  this  divifton  of  perfo^  lib,  de  obedient. p,ii 4: 
nages^  feeing  all  men  came  of  one  man  and  one  wo~ 
man  ?  was  it  for  their  Ikjiie  havpking^  hunting^  di- 
^ngi  carding^  dancing^fwearing^  fleering^  flatten 
ring,  for  their  cruell  polling  and  pilling  f  No^  there 
'm^asnofnch  thing,  they  have  their  honour  of  the  ^^^'^^ohdievt.p.iojl 
,yeople^  to  revenge  the  injuries  of  their  Governours. 

And  though  fuch  advance  this  power  in  the 
'N  obilitie,  above  the  thrones  of  princes,  yet  they 
think  fit  to  put  them  in  mind,they  have  a  fuperi- 
our power  above  them  too,  by  charging  the  No*  ^naxffig.vfu 
bilitie  u^on  paine  of  excommunication  to  joynt 
with  them ;  where  they  fee  caule  to  tefift  their 
prince. 

But  theft  degrees  of  gf^vernment  in  Kings  or 
Nobles,-areheld  perchance  but  the  ill  effedts  of 

H  too      . 


K^  Survey  of  Prcshytay, 

TOO  much  power,  encroachmenrsnpon  the  liber" 
ties  of  free-  borne  men  j  therefore  they  who  hav^ 
.^  this  power  of  the  keyef^  Jure  divino^  ought  not 

•  to  bee  fubordinate  to  any  power  that  ifpf. hu- 

man inftiturion. 

Yet  knowing  that  God  who  is  the  God  of  oxr 
der,  and  not  of  confufion,  hath  ever  appointed 
Magiftrates  to  rule  the  peoplCjlhewing  the  incon- 
venience of  want  of  government  in  the  men  of 
ludgcs  18.7.  Liiijh^  who  (fayes  the  Prophet)  dweh  cardejfe  after 

the  winner  of  the  Zidonians^  where  there  was  nft 
M<]gifirate  in  the  land  that  might  pHt  them  tejhame 
in  any  thing:  who  became  a  prey  to  the  Tribe  of 
Dan.  And  the  A poftles  precept  being, peremp?- 
Titusj. li  torie.  To  obey  Magiftrates:  They  will,  perhap^ 

give  due  obedience  to  the  CivillMagiftrate.  M$r 
n  Peccatum  eft  mortde  Un&hon  tels  US,  (n^  It  k  a  mortall  fin  to  violate 
'uiokrc  cdiSia  magiftra-  the  cdi^f  of  the  Mdgiftrate,  .    -  ^   .^ 

Torn^ol'.'^^'  *' '  ^ ' '"^      But fome  of thefe Difciplinarians pofitions ^e^ 
0   Goodmar:,pigi90,.     ^^^^   (o)SnbjeBs  doe  promtfe  obedience ,  that  tj3^ 
MtLgiftrate  might  help  them^  which  if  bee  doe  noty 
2<irro»,Refutpagi(jp.  they  are  diffharged  of  obedience'.  And  that  without 
^he  Prince,  the  people  may  reforme^andmuft  not  tat' 
rieforthe  Uagiftrate.    But  where  their  owne  fpi- 
rits  guide  themj  they  may  become  Judge$,^ndEjs§- 
.    ecutioners  themlelves,  laying  it  for  a  priocipk, 
k  Gwi«<i»,p.77, iptf,  (jp')Thatifthe  Magifirates fhallrefitfi  topHtMa^e^ 
mongers  to  death ^the  people  (in  feeing  it  performed) 
doefiew  that  zeale  of  God  which  was  commended  in 
Phineesy  deftroying  the  adulterers  ^  and  in  the  ifrae-' 
liter  againji  the  Bcnjamites, 

But 


A  Snr'vej/dfPtQsbytene, 
r  Bdt  in  this  they  have  the  excufe  of  zeale' in  of- 
fence and  indignation  at  finnes  againft  Gcd, 
andnegligencein  Magiftrates.  In  which  cafe, 
fomehold,  that  (q)  not  Kings  and  Magiftrates  ^^S'^M:^" 
^onely  ought  topunrfi  crimes  againfi  God^  but  the 
whole  body  of  the  people ,  and  every  Member  of  the 
fame  to  his  ahilitie  muji  revenge  the  injnrie  done 
to  God,  ,.      „    1 1        r 

The  French  Reformed  Churchrr;  knew  none  '^,^^'!}!'^^  j  "f  ^^^ 
ofthisDDdtrine ,  who  in  the  thirty  ninth  Arti- 
tle  of  their  Faith,  declare  plainly ,  That  they  be^ 
leeve  that  Cod  will  have  the  world  governed  by 
Lawes  and  Policies j  that  there  may  be  Come  rejiraint 
of  the  difordered  dejtres  oft  he  world:  y^nd  as  he 
hath  ejiablifljed  Kingdomes  and  Common-wealths^ 
whether  hereditary  or  otherwife ,  and  all  that  be* 
{dngethtotheStateofJuJiice,  andwillbeknowne 
to  be  Author  thereof  ^  Jo  hath  he  put  the  fword  into 
'the  Magijlrates  hands ,  to  reprejfe  fins  committed 
hot  onely  againfi  the  fecond  Table  of  the  Comman' 
^dements  of  God,  but  alfo  againfi  thefirfi.  Though 
1  (ay,  their  zealein  revenging  injuries  done  to 
theMajeftie  of  God  rranfporc  them  to  (ha^e  in 
the  cxecucion  of  luO-ice  5  Yet  may  be  they  will  » 
fubmit  to  the  Civill  Magiftrate  in  the  govern- 
ment of  the  Church,  and  ordination  of  Rites 
and  Ceremonies,  in  which  by  the  twentieth,  and 
thirty  feventh  Articles  of  our  Religion,  (J)  the  /  R6gm  Articles/,!!  5 ; 
power  is  committed  to  thofe^  to  whom  God  hath  Qi-  Helvetia}?.  BayU.  Bcbi' 
ven  the  fupertortty,  to  which  Docrnne  all  protc-  ^an,  sax%u  Smvm, 
f):ant Churches  (ubfcribe  as  Apoftolicall,  and  Or-  confejftons, 
thodoxall.f/)  H  2  But 


t    Too.  Carfepr'ight,  i. 
a  kepi}.!, pan. p.  4. 

Virctus    Dialogue     of 
white  Devilis. 


c    Saunders,  lib.  2,  e^. 

d    Cartwr.i.x  p,i$6.^ 
Harding  p.  ^17.311. 
The  Counfcls  were  not 
called  Impcratoiia,  but 
Epifcopalia, 


e    r.C.i,R:p.i6ii    ,, 
SaundJt  Monarch.  U  2* 


Hardift^.pa^.  117.314: 


L//  Survey  <?f  Presby  terie. 

But  when  wee  examine  how  chey  conforme, 
we  fhall  (rnde  that  in  dired  oppofition  to  us.  and 
other  Reformed  Churches  ;  Some  of  them  fay, 
that  Civill/iJlfagiJl rates  have  no  power  toordaint 
Ceremonies  p ert awing  tojke,€hj0:^k^  as  being  np^ 
church  officers  at  all. ..,.    ^  A^,\v\  'y},-\  "■•  ^i    * 

One  of  them  holds  ,  That  if  any  Magijlraief 
under  the  Title  of  authority  md  parver  that  God 
hath  given  them  ^  will  make  the  Minijitrs  of  the 
church jHhje&  to  themythey  doe  verily  Jit  up  4  nev 
Tope^  changing  onely  his  Coat  and  Mafque.  Indeed 
they  will  not  allow  the  Magiftrate  to  be  popCjbut 
fiich  will  bee  popes  thcmfelveSjand  allow  him  no 
more  power  than  the  pope  did.  Says  Cartwright^ 
(b)  The  Prince  may  call  a  Councellofthe  Minifierie^ 
and  appoynt  time  and  place.  The  very  fame  (ay  es 
Saun.dert  (c)  the  papift,  might  the  Emperours 
doe  ok  old.     (^d)  The  Decrees  made  there  may  not 
he  faiclto  be  done  by  the  Frinces  Authority  '^  there- 
fore  the  Canons  of  the  Councells  were  called  theJU- 
fhopSynot  the  Emperours.    The  fame  layes  Har^ 
ding^  the  Emperours  did  nor  under- write  c/e)^»/- 
entesfubfcrip/imtu^zs  the  Bifliops  did,but  Confen* 
tientes.Ce)Cartwright allows  Princes  to  beprefent 
in  Counfells  tofuppreJ?e  tumutts.  The  fame  docs 
Handing  allow  them  adpacem  ^  concordiamreti- 
nendam^  ut  nullum  fieri  iumnltum  permittant* 
Nay,  the  Magiftrate  is  beholding  to  Mr.  Orf-  • 
Vf  rights  (/)  to  allow  that  hee  may  be  amAfJifiant^ 
and  have  his  voyce  in  their  meetings  ^  and  givejs 
tbifreafonfer  itp  That  oftentimes  a pmple  m^n^and 

(as 


jf  Survey  ofPteshytcne. 

^(^  as  the  proverb  fsith)  the  Gardner  hath  f^&ken 
togoodphrpofe.  M^,  Harding  yet  allowcs  i^'Of€ 
tc  the  popilh  Magiftraces :  He  (ayes  Ambaflado'rs  ^  -^ 

ofSrares  have  honourable  fears  in  all  Councells^, 
,n}ay  fit^s  affiftancs ,  may  give  their  advices,  may 
exhurt  the  Bifhops,  and  fubfcribe  with  them.  But 
Carj7»rlght  yvill  allow  them  no  power  there 
neyther  to  bee  Moderator,  Determiner ,  nor 
tudge. 

Nay,  they  not  onclyhavc  no  power ,  but  they 
muftbee  fubordinarc  to  their  Tresbj^ters ;  Magi^ 
Jirates  (u)  as  vfcU  as  other  men  mujtfubtfjit  them-  u    Ecde/Iaftfcall   Dif* 
feh^s  and  be  obedient  to  thejufi  and  lawful  Ant  J30  -  cipline.  &  18  ^ 
,  ritieof  the  Churchy  that  if ,  the  Presbyterie  :  And     ^^"^     *  "^'^  '^'^^'   ^' 
.7r4vtrs  (tb>-}  ff)eaking  of  the  power  of  the  Lay  ^  Travers.  pag  i^z,  ■ 
.Elders  f^ycs^  It  kjuft  that  Kings  and  Ma^ifir  ate  s 
MuB  obey  thehi^  ' 

Neither  is  this  Government  changeable  by 
the  will  or  power  of  the  Magiftrate,  but'cis  held,  J  Martin  juvhr;" 
that  ofnecejfity  (x)  all  Chrijiian  Magiflrates  are 
^baund  for  to  receive  this  government  :  Which 
layes  Snecanus  :  Ifany  Magiftrate  hinder^  let  him 
he  freely  admonified  of  his  duty  i  Jfhe  doe  not  i  hen 
fubmit^  let  him  be  more  exaHly  infhru&ed  that  hee 
mayferve-God  in  feare.  (y  )  Marry  if  thu  way  >  ^mroft.foi  134.- 
there  happen  no  good fuccejfe,  then  let  the  Minijhers 
of  the  church  execute  their  office  JwithoHtlingrinz         , 
.  dnajiaytngfo  long  for  a  Parhament.  s,r,{}.  juru.  self.  6. 

Which  compulnve  power  in  the  Church  Ecciefia  mn  foium  prt^ 
holds  me  thinks  fome  analogy  with  that  of  the  7f'^^l:!':^'^''"7' 
leluitcs  (  4  ;  whole  opmion  is ,  The  church  not  tuguhrvtime: 

onety 


A  Survey  of  Prtihy  tend. 

.&ttet/ prefcrihes  and  direct  s^  but  re  fir  aims  anddif^ 

V  f>ones4?jivertueof  herGul?er'nat:vepoi»er*'Whkh 

ppfidons  are  a  language  unknown  amongft  Fro- 

teftahrs,  'r;,;; 

&  P(jfeV?d5  ^ccleft^  fti^  •   MJUft^hotf  tels  us,(^)TAe  Church  hath  her  owne 

ummindatumhabet,    ^  Kuks^andintrudesttot  into  another s  office,  difpXH 

iion  wumpat  in  aiUvu  n^  ^^  Qrovpnes^  abrogates  not  the  tawesofMd^- 

regr.fi  mtirdl,  Hon  abro-  jtrates^ exttnguipes  not  UvpjuUobadtenceJtops  not 

get  iegcs  Magi^ratuum,  judgement  in  CiviU  caufes  X  nor  prefcrihes  Lawes 
''^ontoH^tUiltimniobe--'  .n  ■  -^    •^,       .        i 

dientHm,  mn  im^dut  ^^  magijtrates.        ^,   ^  -  ^  ^    _ 

ludicia  de  uliiscivpbus        BUc  cheie  will  denve  US  another  authontife  a- 

\rdinationibui  mt  con-  ^^i^.^  ttie  Masjiftt'ate;'  iTHey  t^ll  Ul  {a)  Chrift  hath 

/e££'f  magifirahi'us'^e^tranjlatea  the  lewes   Sanedrim  tnto  bis  Church, 

forma Rcipubiic£,^c,     That' there  isnbreafbn  but  the  fame  Authoritie 

Augufian.  confcfm-a.     ^y  Smagoge  hid  under  the  Lawfiould  continue  in 

a  counterp.  p.  n.       the  Church  under  the  GofpelL  (b)   That  under  the 

b    Bexa  pr^fat.ad  libr,  h^vJ Judgements  betveene  blond  and  Moud^   Bt' 

s^n'goi^fuhiegel^^^^^  (^  'did  belong  to  the  Triefis., 

c  T.  c.  L  t.  p,  .7.    ■  '  and  that  it  >yas  death  for  any  man  to  reft  in  his 

Bsia  deexcom.  104.       determination.  To  deduce  tbis  judieiall  power 

tQ  thenlfelves ,  they  tell  us.  Clfijf  as  a  Khtg  (  npt 

is  a  ^rieft  Or  Prophet)  prefcribed  the  form  ofEt- 

d   ceirtwr,  /.  z  p:  140. "  cte§ap'i(;dI!government.Qi)  Ahdth^tr<?;t;(fj^  j^/d'ef- 

e :  Be^.  dcPmb}t:\iJ^,  J^j^P^^  the  Tribunall  feat  of  G'<?c;/.(e)    That  every 

well-ordered  pariffj  having  ap€rje&  Elderfiif  is  of 

f  Cartwr,  I,  v^  4x9.  equallauthoritie.  (f)  '  ..;.  c-y.     ;-^.  .\  .-ry., 

Therz2.  So  here  we  fee  every  parochiiall  i*rcj^>'Wr/'e  in- 

cmies  quoqueiites  an-  vcftedin^Chrifts  ThronejClaiming  judiciallpow- 
tequam  Chu/iiani cjfevt  er immediately  jFrcm  Chrift.  whereby  as  is  /et 
ta-DominacomJoncbm'  lomxwiht, Geneva  {g)  Difciphne  ,  ClVtU  coH- 
'«>■•  tentions  were  compoundedby  the  Elderfhips  before 

there 


A.  Survey  of  Vresbytene, 

there  were  any  Chrijiian  Magijirafes*   But  how 
have  they  now  igffc  that  jndiciall  power  ?-Na, 
hyhCarttPrr^ht^  (h)  the fa:»te-Authoritie  which  h  Carmrif^ht.Ui'p.i? h 
the  church  had  hefore  there  rP!fS  a  chrijiian  Magi^ 
jlrate^dothfiiUcantitrne. 

And  another  would  be  glad  to  learn  how  thif 
authority  vpos  tr inflated jrom  the  Church  unto  the 
Civill  Magifitate  (i^  For  faies  Traveri^  Hea-  « l^ircourftof DifcipU 
ih:n  Princes  being beconte  Chrifiianf  ^  doe  receive  ^'^^  '*^* 
no  further  increafe  of  their  authority  than  they 
had  n^hen  they  were  Pagans,  If  fo  ,  certainly  in 
their  efteeme  all  Civill  Magiftracieis  burameere 
ufurpation  upon  the  Tribunall  of  Chrift  the  El- 
derthip.   '"   /^vt.-vcl  :/)7.:::^ic  >. 

-"In    :    . 

,    Treihiiterie  aeainfi  Lawes, 

"D  LIrKingSjNobleSjMagiftrateSjare  all  men  fub- 

-*^  jett  to  fins  and  infirmities ,  and  no  reafon  the 
^bliodfiiouldlcad  then)  who  have  the  light  of  chrift  on  his  Throne, 
^^trudi  J  being  inwardly  called  and  gifced  (as  they  f"^-  ^T' 

(ay  ^  for  the  work  of  the  Minifteriej  yet  (urely  the 

JLaw  i  s  a  perfect  guid^to  which  all  men  muft  give 
J'ablblute  obedience, which  is  cnjoyned  by  St.F^w/: 
^Submit  your f elves  to  every  Ordinance  of  man^  for  i  ttu  a.«S' 
ythe fiords fa%e,  "This  precept  was  (b  prevalent 

with  the  ancient  Fathers-^  that  they  conformed 

to 


ASurvej/ofPvQihyxev'ie, 

to  the  cuftomes  and  rules  oF  everie  Church 
p ,  Ambropiis  in  Epifi.  where  they  came  ScAwhyofeCsiics,  (p)  "  When 
iiS.Auzujtad:^.«um-  f<^  1  come  CO  K^;s^  I faft  the  Sabboch ,  2it  Mil/ame 
Cum  Romum  venio.ieju-  ^'  I  faft  not :  fo  alfo  doc  chou  in  what  Church  fo- 
»oVfl^ia/'o,<;w»/»OTA/c-  soever  thou  commeft,  obferve  their  Cuftcraes, 
i!:t:r:r^ji:^  "if  thou  wilt neither  give  rcandall  to  othm, 
Meciejiaoi  veneris  ci«f  ^"^  nof  have  Others  give  cfFcncc  rorbee.  And 
^oremferva^^cmnmm  gj.^  ^^j^^^  feemesmuch  to  be  troublcdat  the  re- 

iuenquam  tibi.  fractormeile  ot  luch  ipirics  as  are  not  conrorm- 

q  sevficmmf<epe  dolevs  able  to  the  government  of  the  places  they  live  in. 
ZZ"^:r:X,Z'S  "(?)Of<en(meshe)doIthinkwith  rorrowand 
riperquorundumfratium  "  groancs  vvhat  vaine  pcrturbations  arile  from 
TcLTo-'l  tfZam  ^'^^^^  w^^^  brethren  by  their  content! ousob- 
tuaidttatemf^m  m  rebus  "ftinacie,  and  fuperftltiGus  fcarcs  in  fucH  things, 
hujufmodi,  qua' neciue  «  which  neitherby  auchorltic  of  Scriptute,  nor 
1S;i%TX"  "univcffall  tradiiion  of  the  Church  5  nor  necef- 
Traditione^  »eque  viu  'Tarieconformity  of  manners,  can  bee  reduc'd 
corrigenda  utitttate,  ad  <=  to  any  certaine  terme.  oncly, because  they  find 

pervenire^ tantum  quia  '^^'^^^^'^  matcerof. Argument,  Or  becaufeic 
'  fubcfi  quaiifcuvque  ra-  "  was  fo  in  fuch  a  Countrcy  ,  orbccaufetheyare 
^ulXfu^^at^^^^^^^^^  ^'^^  farreoutof  conceipc  with  their  ownc,  that 
fuevit.autqu'atbivtvk]  " they holdthofe things moft authendck, which 
,v.bi  pcre^anatiorem  fit-  «« differ  mo ft  from  their  prefcnt  praftifee.  Here- 
T/ilVoffifrlm'fa/m  "upoD  raifing,  foinany  litigious  queftions,  that 
putat,  tarfi  iiti^ic/as  ex.  "they  cftccme  nothing  right  but   their  owrie 

iitavtqug/iionesjutnifi   «fanrip« 

quoJ   ipf,  faciuvt   mhil      ^^^^^V  u    U/l'      .    n  •    '         .     .%yr  A      ^  » 

.ffe(tum  exi fitment    St.       To  luch  obftmatc  OpmionatotS  Mailer  C^Z- 

Auiufi.in^Epifi,u%,ad  vin  C  whofc  Dilcipliuc  they  would  iecme  to 

janumum.  imitate,  though  I fcare  theyvwill  iearce  follow 

hisDodrine)  leaves  thh  prinqijrfe  :  "Ixielire 

"  fuch  may  bee  admoniflied ,  firft  not  to  wed 

"them- 


A  Survey  of  Presby  terie. 

« themfelves  to  their  owne  folly.  Secondly,  that  ^  f^fvi^-  ^^v^*'''^  '**' 
"infuch  frowardnefle  they  hinder  noi  '^he  buil- y^^/^^^^  ^^'^"^^ '  *''*^' 
**  ding  of  the  Church.  Thirdly,  that  foolifh  juot  mofita ,  cjfe  cup!9 
*<  emulation  tranrport  them  not:  for  whatcaufe  ^^f'^-i^M  if  mm- 
"havefach  oF  brawling,  bui  iname  to  yeild  tOy«/  pervUa'ia  f^m 
**  their  betters.  Trj  a/Edffimcurfttm  tctsr- 

Now  how  farre  the  Apoftles  precept,  theF.-  ^:;£,t;'f  "l* 
thers  prelident,  c  r  the  advice  of  Mr.  C4/^7»  pre-  ^ue  Huru^iandteaup^ni* 
vailesuponfome  of  thefe,  to  fubmittomenor  fi  iuui  pudtt  meUnbus 
Lawes,  or  with  what  moderarion  they  proceed  '^  ^'^* 
toeilabiifh  their  owne  new  Difcipline  is  obferve- 
able.. 

Tojito  nno  dbfurdofequuntur  miUe ,  is  a  Rule  in 

Schooles  :  and  how  can  they  bee  conformable, 

fubordinate  to  Law  or  Government ,  who  lay 

their  Principles  above  all  Lawes.     They  tell  us, 

<*  {a)  the  Prciby  ter  is  the  only  band  of  peace.  Thar  <«   Plaice  of  Prelates. 

"  C/>;thewantcf  Elder  fbip  is  the  caufe  of  all  e-  'b^r.  can.ih.x.Epifi, 

<«  vills.   That  this   Difcipline  {c)  is  no  f^iall  c  {dmj.i.p.6.(s'<^^, 

"part  of  theGofpell,  it  is  of  the  fubftance  of  ir»  / 

«^  That  it  is  the  Gofpell  of  the  Kingdone  of  *  K-^o^  ^^^o^^^^^on, 

" God.   (d)  That  without  this  Dircipline,there  ^d^ufgi/iet^pag.  6S. 
<«can  bee  no  true  Religion,    (e)  That  <  hey  that  e  r^c^rt.  ub.pag.  zzo, 

"rejeathisDildpiine,  refufe  to  have  Chri(t  Jf ^^^^af '' '° '^' ^'- 

**  reigne  over  them,and  denie  hirain  effed  to  bee 

**  their  King,  or  their  Lord.     And  thence  c?  in- 
clude, that  if  any  refule  to  have  the  Lord  lefus  fee 

up  as  Lord,  let  him  bee  (/)  x^nathmaUa-  f  chrift  on  his  throjic: 

ranatha.  M7^r 

Vpon  thefe  pillars  advancing  the  Church  above 

theieach  of  alHiumane power,  telling  us,  that 

I  every 


A  Survey  of  Presbytery. 

/   Tnthe  8.  «nanfwe   every  vifible  ^^  church  (g)  (which  rbey  fay  is  e- 
Mblc  piopcfitions  prin-  «c  ^^^y  p^j.jQ^  j  jj  ^n  independant  brdie  of  it  felf, 

£atonsVofitions.not.9.  "and  harh  puwer  from  Chrift  her  he.id,  who 
"hath  left  perfed  Lawes  for  the  government 
''thereof,  which  are unalrerable and unchange- 
'*  able,  in  all  times,  ages,  and  places  by  any  the 
*^fonsofmen« 

Which  poficions  ftand  poynt  blanck  againfi: 
the  Articles  of  our  Religion  5  againft  the  power 
of  our  Lawes.  By  the  cwentterh  Article  we  pro- 

h  Roitrs  fai  ^%,         fefle  pofitively,  "T^)  That  the  Church  hath 
"  power  to  decree  Rites  or  Ceremonies. 
^^;  j,j  By  the  37.  Article  we  declare,  "  That  the  Kings 

"  Majefty  hath  chief  power  in  h  is  Dominions,  Sc 
^^  that  it  is  a  prerogative  given  to  all  godly  prin- 
"cesinholy  Scriptures  by  God  him  felfe,  thacisj 
*'that  they  (hould  rule  all  Eftatesand  Degrees 
"committed  to  their  charge  by  God  5  whether 
*' they  beEcclefiafticall  or  Temporal!,  and  re- 
*^ftraine  with  the  Civil!  fword  the  ftubbornc 
"  and  evill  doers.  Hereupon  we  lay  the  founda- 
tion of  that  Oath  of  fupremacy  ratified  by  our 

i  statute  Anno  V.        Lawes.     And  •' fuchfupcriori ty  (i)  in  the  vi- 

£/it«  st^.u  "  fitation  of  the  Ecclefiafcicall  ftate^  reformation, 

"  order ,  and  correftion  of  the  fame  5  and  of  all 
"  manner  of  errours,  herefieSj  Schifmes,  abufes, 
*'  offences ,  contempts,  and  enormities  whatfb- 
««evcr'5  is  by  the  authority  of  Parliament,  united 
•'and  annexed  to  the  ImperiallCrowne  of  the 
"Rcalme. 
»$  «•  ^  And  our  Laws  reftrain  the  Clcrgie  from  making 

any 


Parliament,  2, 


to 


Anfw.  to    the  execut. 
of  luflice.  d.  3  p.  j<5. 


A  Survey  <?/ Presbytery. 

any  Ccnftitutions ,  or  Lawes  without  the  Kings 
coiiren'":moppcfirion  whereofiaies  oneofthem. 
No  civUM^gifirjtehathfuihaMthoriHeas  that  vfitb 
cm  hh  ifi^ij'ent  it  flouldnot  be  UvpfullforEcckfia' 
JitcJf^erJcns^towdke  arty  Church  order  or  Cere  Many, 

Wlihh  Rules  if  we  ftiall  make  the  touchOone 
of  fuch  i:ew  Dodrines,we  (hall  findc  cheni  npcn 
nearer  tearmes  of  reconciliation  with  the  pa- 
.  pift  than  the  proteftanr. 

The  papift  fayes,  (  k )  The  Emperor  efthexvhok 
vtrldyifhe  take  upon  him  to  prefer  i  be  LatPts  of  Re- 
ligion to  the  Bifiops  and  Friejls^  hefljallbedawned 
A^uredly  except  he  repent.  The  making  of  E  c  cleft  a- 
JiiealConftitutions  andCtrentonies  belongeth  unto 
the  Minifters  of  the  Churchy  and  Ecclefiafiicall  i  T,c,Keplyi,p.\%^ 
Coverneurt  y  unio  the  Elders  vpho  aretoconfult, 
admoniO)^  corre&y  and  order  all  things  pertaining 
to  the  Congregation,  Nor  want  they  fome  falfe 
glolTes  of  Scripture  to  varnifh  over  this  preten- 
ded lurifdiftion  above  Lawes  :but  they  plead  o- 
bedience  to  the  commands  of  difbbedience, 
which  they  infcrre  from  that  of  St  Paul  to  the 
Galatiansy  {w)standfaji  in  the  libertie  wherewiih 
Chrifi  hath  fet  you  free.  Which  though  it  bee  m  gaktiavs  %.  i» 
plainly  evident  in  the  Text  it  felfe  that  by  this 
freedome,  the  ApoOle  intended  freedome  from 
the  La^v  of  Circumcifionjin  the  next  verfe  faying, 
(I  Taulfay  untoyou^  (n)  thatifyeu  heecircum- 
cifed,  Chriji  (Jyall  profit  you  nothings  for  every  man 
that  is  circuMcifed  if  a  debtor  to  the  xvholeLaw  5 
and  that  Chriji  if  become  of  no  effect  unto  you, who- 

I  3  foever 


ht 


the" 


Gatatkiis,  j.  2. 


A  Survey  ofPreshytm^^. 

fiever  ofyouarejftfiified  hy  the  Ljvp.,  yn  an  fallen 
fremGrace,  For  voe  through  the fp fit  :»di* for  the 
hope  ofrighteoufftejfe  by  faith.) 

Yer  hence  doe  they  ground  their  ftrcng  pica, 
for  exemption  from  all  Authority ,  as  if  it  were 
an  evidence  of  their  faith  to  (hake  off  the  yoke  of 
all  Law. 

From  fuch  another  phcQmthe  ReveUthftj^ 
by  leaving  out  part  of  the  verier  Toyonlfay^ 
as  many  as  have  not  thk  Do&ritte^  Qo)  and  which 
0    R'-veI.j;t4«  f^^ve  not  knovpne  the  depths  of  Sathan)  and  ta- 

king   nely  'he  latter  part :  /  will  put  upon yju 
'  ^^  ^  "'•  none  othtr  burthen ,  but  that  whichyou  have dlrea" 

dyjijfdfafitilll come.  They  doe  extort  a  con- 
ftruLtion  fic  to  bee  delivered  in  no  other  words, 
p  Sionspic,  i8|,  bur  their  owne.  who  fay  this  is,  (p)  A  mofi 
pregnant  place  againji  fubje&ing  ofourfelves  to 
any  power  or  religious  praUice ,  hovo  fpecious  and 
Jp.ingled  (rrith  depth  of  devil/ ifl)  Uarning)foever 
it  be. 

Having  thus  pleaded  privi ledge  over,  fome 

crie  out  mainly  againft  Law  and  authority,  fayes 

one    of  them  ,  Impicfrc^  is  fuffered  to  beare 

fway  againji  the  iMajeJiie  of  God ,   (  q)    and 

q  Supplication, p.y^,  ^^^^  h  ^aw  and  L^uthoritie  :  And   th^t  fuch 

Ibid.pag.14.  LaTves  are  retained  in  force  ^  as  Jujile  and  o- 

verthrow  the  Royall  prerogative  of  the  Sonne  of 

God. 

But  perhaps  this  exclamation  is  onely  againft 
fuch  La  wes  as  (upporc  the  prelates, the  enemies  of 
presbyterie. 

No, 


A  Survey  <>/Presbyterie. 
No,  theymuft  have  no  Lawesto  limit  them, 
{r)As  gnat  indrgmtrek  offered unfo  lefifs  Chrift  ^     Ep'^^«  before  the 
(ftyes  one)  in  committ,»g  hk  Church  to  the  go-  ""bZ^Z^s?-'- 
vernment  of  the  Common  Law^  as  can  be  by  meane 
hirelings  unto  a  King^  in  committing  his  beloved 
Spoufe  unto  the  dirc^ion  of  the  Mijireffe  of  the 
&tett>es^  and  enforcing  her  to  live  after  the  Uwes  of 
ABrotbell'hohfi, 


SECT.  13. 
The  inordinate  violence  of  the  Presbyterians: 

FR.om  thefe  principles  doe  fuch  lawlefle  Difci- 
plinarians  profecute  their  defigne  with  fuch 
fpirir,  that  nor  King,  Nobles 3  Magiftrates, 
Lawes  ^  nor  any  tWng  muft  ftand  in  their  way, 
(/;  Aut  hoc^  aut  nihil^  is  their  Enfigne.  They  who  f  S'ons  plca,fol. ^40. 
hiffder  difcipline(C2y  they )bring  the  State  at  length 
to  an  extremely  defperate  point :  None  but  enemies  ^^^-^  ^^' 
to  Chriji^  are  enemies  to  thk  governments 

And  as  againft  enemies  they  pcceed  indeed, 
(t)  Stril^e  neither  at  greH  norfmally  but  at  thefts  ^    ^'^^^^  P^",  fol.24.0. 
troublers  oflfrael,fmitetbatHazaeiin  the  fifth  rih^ 
yeay  if  father  or  mother  fiand  in  the  rvay^  away  with 
them^  downe  with  the  colours  of  the  Dragon:  adr         Fol.200^  f 

vnnci^  thefiandcirdof  Chriji, 
N ot  che  while  flag  of  truce,  but  the  red  flag  of 
t  3  deftrudtion. 


A  Survey  of  Presbyrerie. 

deftrtiQ:ion ,  whole  cmb'en^c  was  never  by  any 

Father  (till  now;  writ  in  fuch  bicudy  charaders. 

»    The  title  page  to  (u)  Thofe  mine  enemies  vchich  would  not  that  I 

before  me, 

ThiSjtill  advanced  by  the  nev;  Standard- bea- 
bearer,  was  never  writ  in  the  banner  of  that 
Lan:ib  of  peace  j  thefe  were  none  of  tho(e  tro- 
phies  I  read  of  in  the  glorious  throne  in  theRe- 
tr    Revel.5.(5.  ydation.    ^\\Qn(w)  in  the  middeft  of  the  throne^ 

and  of  the  four e  Beajir^  and  in  the  middeji  of  the 
Elders  flood  a  Lamb  as  it  hadhecneflaine  (not  like  a 
Vcrfe  8.  dertroyer  j  To  whom  thefoure  Beafis^  andfoure  and 

Vcrfe  ^.  tvoentie  Elders  fell  downe  before  the  Lamb  :  And 

fung  a  nevpfong^faying^  Thou  trt  worthy  to  tal^e  the 
books,  and  to  open  thefeales  thereof^  for  thou  waji 
Jlaine^  and  haji  redeemed  us  to  G$dby  thy  blonde  ,  Ic 
Vcrfe  1 1.  was  to  this  Sacrifice,  not  Sacrificer ;  That  the  ma- 

ny Angels  about  the  Throne^  and  the  Beajis  and  the 
Elders^  to  the  number  of  ten  thoufand  times  ten 
thoufand^  and  thoufands  of  thoufands  cryed  with 4 
Vcrfe  12.  lowdvoyce,  IVorthy  is  the  Lamb  that  wasflaine. 

Nor  were  any  of  that  fcarlet  liverie  in  his  reti- 
*    Revcl.7.9«  v^xxQj  (x)  For  toe  a  great  multitude^  which  no  man 

couldnumbery  of  all  nations,  andl^inreds,  and  peo- 
ple^ and  tongues fiood before  the  Throne^  and  before 
the  Lamb  cloathed  with  white  robes  landpalmes  in 
their  hands^  which  came  out  of  great  tribulation^ 
^""^  ^  *♦  and  had  waped  their  robes,  and  made  them  white  in 

the  hloudofthe  Lamb, 

But  fuch  asthele  think  their  dye  is  nordeepe 

enough, 


ft. 

Kyi  Survey  of  PrefDytcry. 

enough,  they  muH:  yerj^  riy5;e //)e  Baft  like  vtinty 
(y)  hlothing  but  this  (fay  they;  will  cure  the  f  leu-  y  Sion?  plea,  j^i'. 
r#  >four  SUU.  By  which,  what  fountaine  of  'tXtT^tnU^ 
bioud  they  meane,  is  fitter  for  the  expofition  ot  a  he  ihouid  be  rooted  our, 
Jefiiite,  fz,)than  the  enquiry  of  a  Proteftant.  jnsi^oncludehisrace,if 
Onely  the  torrent  of  fuch  fpiiits  is  obfervable  f  if  sawro/Zj/oUsf  *  °^^* 
not  formidable)  who  check  at  no  power*  t   caniw  scriban.  fr- 

Well  may  the  all-reaching  arme  of  a  Parlia-  'fJ^lZ^f'  f"'^f !''/'' 
ment  afiilt,  but  (chey  hold;  it  cannot  itay  their  non  fuem  <vem  bajiuca: 
courfe.  '^  if  the  Hierarchy  he  not  removed^  and  the  '^  efi.quod  ^erdtum  fuit 
Scepter  of  Chrijis  kingdowe^  namely  hh  oivne  dif-  pfccvde^p.^  *  ^  ^^"'"' 
cifline  be  advanced^  there  can  be  no  healing  of  the  *    Sionsplca,  ijj. 
fore.   The  Pa rliament  may  remove  alljlute grievan- 
ces^ in  repairing  wrongs^  cenfuring  mi f demeanours^ 
C^f.  All  which  are  to  be  done^but  the  former  k  not  Sions  pica,  \  ^c* 
to  he  left  undine.    As  God  hath  notbkfi  any  Farlia- 
mentary  endevours^  becanfe  (as  we  take  it  fay  they) 
they  went  not  this  way  to  wor^^fo  it  is  likely  he  will 
not  be  withyeu  now^  ^f you  go  not  this  way  to  work: 

Some  were  a  little  freer  languag*d  againft  the 
Parliament,  (4)  29.£/;:s.  Thatif  they  did  not  ab^  %alo^XC,T^' 
rogate  the  government  of  Bifhops. J  they  fjould  be- 
tray God,  the  truth,  and  betray  the  whole  kingdome* 

But  this  is  but  gentle  admnnition  5  if  faire 
words  will  prevaile,  it  is  well^  if  not,  they  will 
doe  it  perforce.  Though  the  rarliament  be  fir  Bi-  ^  UBlawfuIncffcof  ua- 
Jhops  (fayes  one  of  them)  yet  all  the  godly  and  reli-  '""'^''*  Preiacic,foi.i  2. 
gious  will  be  againfi  them.   And  it  is  now  become 
the  language  of  the  pulpit,  th^z  if  the  Parliament 
fptU not  releeve  them,  (^)jet  they fh all Jiickfafi  to-  «    E4'«» '«  hi«  Sermon 
gethtr^  to  maintaine  their  caufe  j  which  is  Chrifis  *'     *  ^^* 

caufe. 


K^  Survey  of  Prtshytcry. 

cattfe.  Herein  f-  llowing  the  coun  fell  of  their  Pre- 

d   Bancroft^  fc!.i  ^^.     dcceff  urs,  ( d)  That  if  the  brethren  cannot  obt.iine 

their  vpHs  by  ft/rt^  nor  dtfputes  the  multitude  and 

feopte  mufi  work,  the  feat.   Thus  built  upon  the 

authOTitie  of  one  of  their  ancienr  Ring- leaders, 

e  K'?**  to  tl^«  ^*»"^""  who  tels  them,  (e)  Reformation  of  Religion  bc" 

naitie,  foUjijjo.  /j?;?^/  to  tht  CoMPiunaltie,    fThe  which  carrying 

fome  Species  of  libenie  in  it)  they  leeke  to  con- 

firme  that  popular  ambition,  by  cheri(hing  in 

them  an  opinion  of  a  right  in  the  power  of  the 

f  Earns  pofitions  an-  keycs,  as  belonging  (/)  neither  to  the  Fajlour^ 

^^^^^»  9*  fiQt  Governours^  hnt  to  the  whole  Congregation^ 

4ind  to  everie  particular  member  thereof^  and  Chrijl 

having  committedthem  to  everie  one^wouldofeve* 

rie  one  demand  an  accompt, 

A  dangerous  doftrine,  if  once  grounded  in 
vulgar  apprehenfions.  Thefe  pofleft  with  an  opi- 
nion of  an  equall  intereft  iji  the  power  of  the 
keyes  of  the  Church  (which  they  know  how  to 
manage)  will  much  more  plaufibly  embrace  the 
fuggeftions  of  a  paritie  in  thefway  of  the  Scare, 
asbetter  (uting  with  their  capacities :  It  will  bee 
fomewhat  difficult  to  pofleffe  the  common  peo- 
A  Prieftfiirred  up  re-  ple^ that  we  are  all  fprung  from  the  Tribe  oflez/?.' 
beiiion  in  King  Ktchard  g     ^^  ^j^j  f^ditious  argument  will  be  obvious  to 

the  fcconds  nmc,  wuh  *^"*'  n    i      r  r  ..  i  i 

this  argument.  them,  That  wee  are  all  the  fons  oxAdam^  borne 

free,  fome  of  them  fay,  the  Gofpell  hath  made 
themirec.  And  Law  once  fubverrcd,  it  will  ap- 
peare  good  equine  to  fuch  Chancellours,  to  (bare 
the  earth  equally.  They  will  plead  Scripture  for 

Gcncfis  %.  I  p.  it^:  that  wee  {hould  all  (g)  live  by  thefweat  of  our 

broives. 


b   RomAASIJ  hi. 


A  Survey  <>/ Presbytery. 
broms.  They  will  cell  us  chat  in  ^gypt  we  were 
all  fellow  Brick-  makers :  And  ic  is  no  novel  tie  in 
the  ftories  of  this  State,  Thatfuch  Artificers  have 
levelled  the  palaces  of  Nobles,  and  i'tjaaredouc 
the  dimenlions  of  the  Gentrie  and  taw-Civers, 
according  to  the  rule  of  their  reafon. 

The  emptie  name  of  libertic,  blowne  into  vul- 
gar eares,  hath  over-turned  many  States :  how 
much  more  prevalent  and  dangerous  muftitbee, 
when  enforced  as  a  religious  dutie  to  difobey  au- 
thoritie. 

We  know  Saint  pW/ precept  is,  {h)Let  everie 
Joule  befubje^  to  the  higher  poroersy  they  that  rejiji 
receive  damnation.  And  certainly  fince  his  ti  me, 
never  any  age  till  now  brought  forth  fuch  defpe- 
ratc  Ami- Apoftles  fas  I  may  not  improperly  call 
them)  in  abfblute  oppofition  to  the  rule  of  the 
Apoftle,  (i)  To  conjure  men  in  their  pulpits^  as  i  KatotisVo^Mion,^, 
they  VPill  anfwer  it  at  the  dreadfitU  day  ^f  judge- 
ment^ not  tofubmit  to  any  autboritie  whatfeever. 
And  in  defiance  and  contempt  of  our  Lawes  (ftill 
in  force)  which  exadl  the  deprivation  of  everie 
Eccleliaftique,  (k)  the  confifcation  of  rhe  goods  k  sut,  i  t:iii.cdp.  tl 
and  chattels,  and  imprifbnmenr,  durin glife  of 
every  Laickj  that.fhall  wilfully  deprave  the  Litur- 
gieeftabliihed  by  Law ;  in  their  petition  to  ftile 
ir,  (l)The  Englifi  refined  Uafe-booke  of  Common  /  rreUlders  Petition. 
Trayer,  In  their  pulpits  top  reach  it(;5?/j/»5^(?i>e  Notes. 

prefentat  reading  of  a  prayer  out  of  a  boo^e  by  Mi-  "*  ^^7/^  f^  ^^'""^ 
nifier  or  any  other.   In  print  to  publilh,  that  it  is 
3bCdi.\XtQ\y(n)JfftfHl  and  unlawful  to  hear  any  Mini*  "  ^  Propofitions  in  prim 
K  Jier  preach  ^'  '" 


A  SuTvty  ^/Presbyterie. 
ptich  in  the  Cknrch  of  England atidthe  Ajfemhlits 
thereof* 

And  feeing  ihefe  are  feconded  by  the  frequent 

and  publique  venting  of  fcandalous,  inventive, 

and  libellous  pamphlets ,  full  of  feditious  do- 

ftrines,  implying  anabfolutc  abnegation  of  the 

*  Volume V of  Pampk.  Kings  fuprcmacie ,  "'' and  withdrawing  the  peo- 

icts.  That  the  ^^j^""^^!?  pie  from  their  due  allegeance ,  exciting  them 

hVv^etKr^offic^s'^nd  to  difobedicnce.  Tomefuchbold  violation  and 

Lawcs  within  her  feif,  uncontrolled  coutempt  of  Lawes  ^fitting  the 

'"''w  'I'°t.'^T'  '^^  Law-Makers) appeares  formidable: 

Eccle!jafticall    Law,  ,         ^    Vj  i.     ^    rr-  i 

w hich  Sir  EdXook  fays.         Omnia  cum  hceant,  non  beet  ejje  bonunf, 
whofoever  ftiaii  denic,      J  coufider  the  NoMlitie  and  Gcntrie  of  this 

Kingtfhti'powert  ^^^^f  "P^rfe  of  honour)  fituatc  a,  th=  Low 
deliver  lufticc  in  all  CouDtnes  m  aflat,  under  the  banks  and  bounds 
caufestoalihisfubieas.  of  theLawes,  lecured  from  the  inundations  of 
that  Ocean,  theVulgar,  which  by  the  breach  of 
thofe  bounds  would  quickly  overwhelme  us^and 
deface  all  diftind^ions  of  degrees  orperfons:  and 
cannot  but  with  admiration  obferve,  that  .y^w/i- 
y^»-likein  their  full  ftrength  (but  as  blind  with 
inconfiderate  zeale,  as  he  by  treacherie)  any  fuch 
fhould  lay  hold  on  thofe  pillars  of  our  State^that 
prop  up  the  regulated  Fabrick  of  this  glorious 
Monarchy  5  and  by  cracking  them,  wilfully  burie 
themfelves  and  us  in  the  rubbifti  of  that  Chaos, 
w  ^^  they  fo  pull  upon  their  own  e  heads,  feeking 
to  turne  our  freedome  into  fetters,  by  cancelling 
our  ancient  Lawes  (the  Charters  of  true  liberty) 
and  expofing  us  eternall  Apprentices  to  the  Ar- 
bitrarie  J urifdidion  of  a  new  Corporation  of 

Apron 


o^  Survey  <:/Presbyterie. 
Apron  Elders,  Mechanick  Artizansj  as  if  they 
had  forgot  the  old  Rule ,  H£c  natura  multUu^ 
dink  eft  5  aut  hnmiliUrfervit^  autfuperb}  domi' 
natur. 

When  we  know  the]  principle  of  the  Religion 
of  Ibme  of  thefe  is ,  That  every  man  Jhould  he  e- 
quail  for  caUingy  and  that  there  fiould  bee  no  diffe-  ^  skidan.  Cm.  I.  j. 
rence  of  Twfom  amongfi  Chrifiuns.  (0)  And 
the  Maxime  of  policy  is ,  that  to  ereS  aparitie, 
where  there  are  many  Gentry  ^  they  mujl  firjl  di-  p  MachHwU. 
fpatch  them  out  oft  he  way,  (p) 

SECT.   14. 

Tresbyteriall  DifcipUne  brings  not  libertie  to 
the  vulgar :  but  introduces  a  meere  Ar'' 
bitrarie  Government* 


Bllt  perhaps  to  all  this  the  common  people 
lend  a  ready  eare ;  This  ftill  tends  to  the  in- 
larging  of  their  lov*d  liberty  :  *Tis  true  in- 
deed ,  here  is  a  large  defigne  of  libertie  :  The 
Presbyters  muft,as  I  have  (liewedjhave  power  o- 
ver Princes,  Nobles,  Magiftrates,  bee  fubordi- 
nate  to  no  Lawcs ,  concluded  by  no  Parliament, 
but  bee  an  independent  bodieofthemfelves  jand 
the  common  people  rauft  be  their  fadors  for  ihi* 
freedome. 
And  when  they  have  done  all,  what  fhare  (hall 

K2  thefe 


A  Survey  $f  Presbytery^ 
thcfedelodcdpeoplehave  of  this  dreame  of  li- 
bcrtie  i  Is  it  any  other  than  fnch  as  a  poore  pri- 
f-.ner  for  debt  finds  when  he  is  releafed  from  the 
bonds  of  the  Law  by  a  Turkifti  pirate ,  hee  tugs 
hard  at  an  Oare  to  wafc  his  Refcuers  from  the 
reach  of  his  juft  Creditors  ^  but  whenbee  hath 
brought  them  to  their  wiOied  haven,he  there  lees 
bimfelfe  fevcn  fold  more  flave  than  he  was  in  pri- 
fon  ^chained  to  his  Gaily  without  hopes  of  Ke- 
demptionjteftjOr  pcflibilitie  of  avoyding  ftripes, 
though  all  his  life  befidcs  bee  but  one  continued 
drudgerie. 

*Tis  plaine  indeed,  we  (fcall  fet  the  Tresbyterit 
free  from  the  government  of  men ,  or  reach 
of  Lawes,  but  let  us  examine  if  the  whole  con- 
ftitutionoftheirDifcipline  bee  not  to  us  a  bon- 
dage. 

Their  firft  Maxime  is  to  place  themfelves  a- 
bove  the  reach  of  man  .*  what  they  deny  as  i 
Treafonable  challenge  in  the  Bifhops  againft  the 
prerogative  of  Princes ,  they  boldly  aflbme  to 
themfelves  (to  the  little  Bifhop,  abfolure 
Pope  of  every  pari fh  )  that  their  office  is  jure 
Divino, 
q  ^.I'fopofitlonjprin-  C^)  Evtryvipbk  Cburch  being aniftdeptndcttt 
ted  I  ^41 .  body  of  it  felfe^  having  power  from  Chrifther  head 

E^/mPo'.tionj.^.&^  to  binde  and  loofe,  to  receive  in,  and  c aft  out  by  ti^ 
Keyet  of  the  Kingdome ,  whereby  neither  to  their 
office  nor  authoritie  doth  cither  King  or  poten- 
tate, man  or  Law ,  contribute  any  thing,  not  (b 
much  as  in  ordination  of  particular  Miniftersj 

for 


orf  Survey  of  Prefbytery. 

for  they  tell  us,  (0  Somrroteftants»r>of,fi-  ,  c>>riPor,hi,A,-o«,. 
nioHy  that  Ordirtation  cannot  be  performed  hut  by  a  fol.  67. 
Frelate,  or  at  leafi  by  Minijicrs  onely  y  vPtthout 
whofe  impofition  of  hands  it  were  no  Ordination^ 
as  is  if  it  did  conferre fitch  an  order.  Whereas ,  lay 
tbf  y,  the  prime  and  proper  conferring  ofthk  Order 
if  by  Chriji  himfelfe ,  inwardly  calling ,  and  gif-     . 
ting  a  man  for  the  tforkfi^  of  the  CM'inifterie, 
And  though  theEvangeliH:  faies  in  the  eighth 
to  the  A^J^  (f)  That  through  laying  on  of  the  A-  f     ^^j  s.  i%; 
pofiles  hands  the  Holy  Ghofiwjs  given.     And  St. 
Paul  cxplaines  it  fully  to  be  interprered  of  Electi- 
on into  the  MinifteryjCharging  r/w^//e>  (^)N<?/   t  xTm 
to  negleif^  the  gift  that  if  in  thee  ,  which  was  given- 
thee  by  Prophe/fe;  with  the  ladling  on  of  the  hands  of 
the  Trefbyterie^  v/hich  they  confefTe  was  frequent 

in  the  Apoftles  times,  (u)  «  Chrifi  on  his  throne. 

tet  afterwards  (fay  they  )  in  fuccejfive  agefy  ^^' 
there  was  nofuchgift  annexed  to  the  laying  on  of 
hands,  (w)  but  that  the  eUaion  of  Minificrs  ^  chrift  on  his  throne. 
was  by  every  Congregation  refpe^vely.  With  this  Prelacy  mifcry./o/.f, 
fal  fe  pretence  of  power,  (Tto  to  the  people  be^  Ei/»«f  PoHtions.s, 
longed  the  laying  on  of  their  hands  as  a  t»kf»  of 
their  approbation  and  confrn/ation  of  him  that  if 
chofen)  working  upon  the  vulgar ,  who  are  ready 
to  fnatch  at  every  lliadow  of  liberty,  to  advance 
their  Hierarchy. 

Though  they  muft  knowasfoone  as  they  have 
done, that  they  have rai fed  a  (piritthey  havenoc 
power  to  lay  again:  for  then  they  tell  them, (the 
worke  of  their  owne  hands )  Thefe  new  created 

(x)  Vafiors 


A  Survey  of  ?f&%hytcv\c. 

X  Cf^ordaA>fglUfol.s.  C^)  Vaftors  wufi  he  reverently  refpeSed,  and  that 
piopofltion  the  y  the  people  bee  notfuffercdin  any  wife  to  fcandalize 

lofXv';iffinfM,!  t"'.  ""^^^^  l"'"'^,'-"'  dcpofe  thc^  ,  crjut 
Diftcr ,  or  mif-namc  thew  otft  whom  before  the/  have  made  choyce  of, 
them ,  he  is  to  bee  im-  f^yc  f^ei  r  pofition  is  5  A  man  once  made  a  (J^f /- 
%\vcv<i.  fol.  7 1!^"  ^  nificr  is  not  to  be  kept  bac^  from  preachings  by  the 
y  Martin  •^umoT.  Tbc-  Inhibition  of  any  creaturcm  (y)  No  Iboner  ad- 
-^^'  "^*  vanc'd ,  but  ftraight  the  Scene  is  changed ,  they 

vj me  up  a&um  eji^'itis  finiftied,  their  worke  is 
d^^ne:  and  then  the  people  (that  have  all  this 
I  Bucham  (fe  jure  rcg-  while  beene  taught  to  value  themfeives)  (z)  a- 
»'.  pl-  7S'l  bove  the^^ower  o^ Kings ^who  challenge  all  their 

/frTj^lr^^pcS^^i  right  from  them,  andthat  the  multitude  hath  the 
ftbi  ver.  d  cant ^regibuiejfe  fame  poT»er  over  Kings^  that  King  f  have  over  every 
potentiorem,  iufiueidem  one  of  the  multitude ',  that  it  was  their  Office  to 

tneoiimertmultuudi-        ,,-',  ,  t      n  «»••  f     \ 

mm,  qaed  m  in  fivgu-  puUdovpne  Prelates ^  and  rejorme  Reltgton^  {a) 

lose  muUitudine  habent,  muftnowleame  another  Icflon,  and  know  their 

LS';./«M9.^°""  <*'f^'"'^=»  That  ova  »<,„  f,fmtJHdkari  Fa- 
fiores- 

The  Presbyter  isnofoonerin  hischaire,  but 
he  is  prefenrly  a  ludge :   Ky^ndif  any  herejteypro' 
phaneneffe  ,  or  idolairie  creep  into  the  Churchy  he 
b  Prelacy  is    mifcric  may  root  it  ent.(b)    And  not  oncly  judge  of 
'"  ^*  Schifmes  or  Herefies  in  points  of  Dcftrine  or 

faith  3  but  he  with  his  Elders  become  abfolure 
Chancellors  over  cur  Lives,  Families,  and 
Eftares. 

If  we  examine  the  latitude  of  their  Commif^ 
Hon,  wee  (hall  finde  it  extend  to  no  lefle :  one 
tells  us,  the  Minifier  and  Elders  are  weekly  to 
meet  for  cenfuring  delinquents  infwearing ,  cur- 


A  Survey  of  Presbyterie." 

fing  ^  frophattaticn  of  the  Lords  Day^  drinking^  c  A  report  o£  the  f  rra 
Formcation,adHlterie,  and  for  debating  of  Here-  of  Church  govcmmcnr, 
pes and(HperjUhotts^&'€,  (c)  And  //  any  bejujpe-. 
Hed^  or  if  there  be  anyfcandallin  the  bounds,  pro- 
ceeding with  thecenfuresofthcKirk^againJithemy 
that  all  tranfgrejl'ors  may  be  brought  to  repent ance^ 
crfeparatedfrom  the  people  of  God, 

Some  of  chem  muft  (d)  determine  matters  of  ^  The  Northnmpton- 
Contra^s  and  Marriages.  Nay,  they  muft  have  a  foi'l^.  ^  ^^'  '"''"'*-'^' 
fpeciall  ^£re  into  thepeaceable  demeanour  of  the  The  Elder<,&c  once  a 
/«^^/»;>4w//,  within  the  precinds  of  their  feverall  "'^J^'''  '°  ^°^''.'°  '^^ 

_,  ,'  ,«,  ^-  1   ^        ,  with/n  the  parilh  con- 

PresbyterieSjUpcn  that  place  of  S.  F^w/,  (e)  (  Do  ccming  their  honcft  be- 
anyofyouhavin^a  matter  againfi  another.  ?oe  to  haviour ,  and  peaceable 

T        /   /        j/  -a        J       *  L  Jr        J.T     t>        x    J  \    demeanour.  View  of  the 

Law  before  ihennjuji.andnot  before  the  Saints  <  )  preiacuall  Church,  fa. 

grounding  a  decree  in  their  Claflis,  that  if  any  41. 

member  of  the  Fre/^/^er/e  bee  at  variance  with  ^  »  Conmh.cj.. 

his  brother ,  hee  (ball  bee  fufpended  till  bee  bring 

the  matter  before  them.    Now  let  us  well  weign 

what  man  lives  fo  upright  in  all  his  wayes,  that  is 

nor,  or  may  not  be  a  Delinquent  at  the  mercy  of 

thefe  dreadful]  ludges,  whole  leaft  chaftifement 

is  baniftment,  (  fufpenfion  from  the  food  of 

Life,  the  blefled  Word  and  Sacraments ;  whofe 

cafieft  prifon  is  Helljand  whofe  puniftiment  {Tra- 

datur  Satan£)  eternal!  deftruftion> 

Where  is  then  the  promifedlibcrtie  of  this  fo 
much  defired  change  >  when  from  the  legal  1  pe- 
nal ties  of  pofitive,  and  regulated  Lawes  which 
awe  our  perfons ,  and  might  fperhaps)  pinch  our 
purles,  whereof  we  know  how  to  avoyd  the 
breach,    or  (atisfie  the  penaltie,   wee  (hall  , 

become 


/  Romaas';.  14« 


i 


View   of  the  Pre* 
aticall  Ciiurcb,  fel.  3  7, 


Mr,  ^nox  r  The  order 
of  Excommunication  in 
SsQtland,  /g,  z. 


ud  Sui'^ey  <j/Presbyrerie. 

become  meere  Tenants  at  will  of  our  foules. 

That  the  infirmities  of  mans  nAture,  confidc- 
red,  (f)  That  vpse  an  carnall  and  fold  under  finne 
and  that  the  beft  of  Gods  Saints  fall  into  dayly 
errours :  yea,  and  as  it  is  (aid ,  FaUx  qui  minimk 
urgetHr ,  who  can  plead  priviledge  or  exemption 
from  thefe  rigid  cenfures.  The  beft  Charter  here 
is  bur  durante  bene  flacHo  j  None  du?n  henefegef' 
Jerit  :  Since  innocence  is  no  Supercedeas :  for 
iufpition  oT  fcandali,  mifprifion  or  malice  may 
makeadeiinqnentjinjurioufly  to  bee  fnlpefted  or 
traduc'd,  and  adually  to  bee  guilty  are  of  equall 
punilhmenc,  Fublick.  ConfcJJion  or  Excontmuni- 
Cittion.  Nay'cis  fo  farre  from  freedorae,  tharic 
brings  upon  us  a  two- fold  bondage. 

Both  Law  and  N  ature  abhorre  double  punifli- 
mentforone  offence  .Yet  fay  they,  (g)Malep^0rt 
that  have  once  Satisfied  the  Law ,  if  they  prccure 
pardons  ntuft  bee  fufpended  from  the  Sacrament, 
till  they  againe  fatisfie  the  Congregation,  And 
Mafter  Knox  tells  us ,  All  Crimes  that  by  the  Law 
of  God  deferve  death  5  deferve  alfo  excommunica'- 
tion^  as  (Jiiurtherers,  Adnlterers^Sorcerers^  Wit* 
cheSyConjurersfharmers^  givers  ofdrink^tode-' 
jiroy  children^  Blafphemers^  denyers  of  the  truth^ 
railers  againji  the  Sacraments,  and  all  that  have  //- 
qjed  mth  any  offence  to  the  Congregation,  though 
they  have  fttffered  the  punijhment  of  the  Law:  4- 
gainfi  all  which  he  would  proceed  by  way  ofF^xcom* 
j^junication. 

And  we  know  that  naoft  of  thefe  Crimes  they 

would 


A  Survey  tf/ Presbytery. 

v^nuldfetch  within  their  jurifdidionj  have  their 
(everall  penalties  provided  by  the  Sratirfe  Lawes 
of  this  Kingdome,  whence  neceffarilyfollowes, 
thateitherthetemporalljurifdidion  (all  Law j 
muft  be  extindt ;  or  in  ftead  of  freedome  we  muft 
fubniir  to  double  puniflimenc. 

But  fay  they.  They  onely  proceed a^awji  (innesy 
(h)  and'tkiheir  office  is  bring  ftnners  to  Ref  en-  j^  ^y,,^^  Ar>gi\*.  frt- 
tance^   And  there  are  divers  other  petty  Crimes,  pcf.  8.  xo.  Courts  to 
which  fall  not  C  as  they  fay  j  under  the  Civill  P'"*^"!  T^L'^'i"^^ 

^        J  ,  .  I.        n  1 1'        1         I.  finncs  by  the  Worii  of 

iwora  :    as  chJchftgyjightTng^  bravphng^  contempt  God. 

of  the  order  of  the  Churchy  Sayboth  breakings  Sionsplea. 
wanton  andvaine  vpords^  negligence  in  hearing  the  ^J^^'J"^'^  ^  °* 
preacher,  negle&  of  receiving  the  SacrantentSyfuf" 
-pinion  of  Avaricej^or  of  pride  ,  fuperfiuity  or  riot- 
oufnef[einchear4  or  raiment*  They  mult  have  a 
rod  for  the  women  too,  in  corredting  their  lafci^ 
viouSydiJjolutey  or  toofumptuout  attire^  private 
or  publike  dancing ,  May- games  ^  vifitingfiage^ 
playesy  Tavernesy  or  Tipling-hotifes,  and  all  t  n ordi- 
nate liver  s  ^  which  muft.  bee  brought  to  their 
Tribunall. 

Now  let  any  man  branch  out  thofe  forenamed 
particular  heads  of  the  Table  of  their  Difciplinci 
and  he  (ball  finde  that  neither  our  words ,  opini- 
ons, nor  aftions,  as  cf  private  men,  but  they  fub- 
jeft  us  under  their  jurifdiftion.  Confider  us  with 
relation  to  others ,  and  fee  how  many  accidents 
are  emergent  upon  Contrads,  marriages,  forni- 
cation, Adulterie,  to  which  take  in  the  generall 
heads  of  fulpition  and  icandall,and  then  fee  hew 

L  farre 


A  ^r've/ ofVrcsbft€r\e. 

farrc  this  infmtwtes  into  our  piivate  fivhilks^ 
who  can  be  iecure  of  the  honour  or  reputation 
of  wife  or  daughters,  longer  than  he  is  fure  hee 
hathnonialigner  :  for  I  finde  no  branch  at  all 
amongft  them  for  the punilSimentof  the  flande- 
rer,  nor  no  reparation  for  the  in}ur'd  inno- 
cent. 

Marry  the  guilrie  ma»y  be  qmt ,  as  was  the  p^^ 
J.    ,  {{lion o^Mt^Smpe  of N6rthamptonQi\veM}^h^ 
thf  rfcfpiinaS'of  having  wrought  upon  a  meanef^rvanc,  tha«had 
Norchampton iimc,      got h'ls  Maftcrs  Daughter  with  child,  to  make 
M"*-  publickConfedioncoch^CongregatioH.    That 

doviQyS  nape- al^folved  him,   ttyenjttflifled  him  char 
from  thatflnnecommitHd^  eintp  as  though  he  had 
bee?ieneml)i  borne.  If  this  bc^  th^  way^ to  recover^. 
infant  innnocence^who  would  not  (byle  himielfe 
a  lit  rle  to  be  fo  clean  fed  ? 
N  ext  yiew  t»hat  general  ^£re  into  mens  peace- 
a  View  of  Prclaticali  abiederweanocs,  la)  together  with  their  rule  of- 
Church. /oL  41,  Abdication  of  La w-fults^  and  fee  if  this  bring 

Admonition  2  page  7 J.  ^ot  to  their  Chancetie  aJl^a^ions  reall  and  perfo- 
fmxfuchTpartic°as^ts  nail.  And  laftlyccnlider  their  univerfaH  head  of 
troul>l<fo;ne  and  con  {b")  proceeding  againfi^  ftitm^.  Which  Mf .  Cart" 
b^'mfonfol    16  rvright  pretty  well  explaineSj  Every  fauk  that 

Our  Presbyteries  prj-  tcndcth  either  to  thckurt  ofamans  neighbour ^or  t^. 
cecd  againft  vice.  tf^e  hindrance  of  the  glory  of  God  is  to  be  examined 

vnwtfwtM  de'DlreM,        ^"^  dealt  in  by  the  orders  of  the  Church*  Snecanus 
Eccief  p,  46  0.      '       enlarges  him  a  little  further ,  ^odvis  peccatum^ 
(fayes  he^  every finnc  againji  God  or  neighbour^ 
bywordor  deed^purpofely  or  ignorantly^manifejily 
orficretly^Ufo^  let  US  then  confider^if  this  be  not 

a  general] 


L^  Survey  of  Prcsbff^f jf. 

^  general  prohibition  tdall  Courts  of  fudtGature, 
a  meere  annihilation  oFall  Lawcs* 

For  Sr.  Fefer/ precept  is  5  to  (k)  fnhmit  to  t'  k  i  Peter  1. 13. 
very  Ordinance  of  man  for  the  Lords  fake*     And 
Lawes  being  the  Ordinance  of  man  j   the  breach 
of  every  Law  is  finne.    N  or  cati  there  be  any  fui  e 
or  controvcrfie  betwixt  men ,  but  the  one  fide  is 
the  wrong-doer  5  for  we  know  that  Allnnrighte- 
ouCne^eisfinmy  (I)  And  the  DifGipIinarians  in-  /  iiohn.  f.  i^. 
eluding  the  punilbmertt  of  all  finne  againfc  God^ 
or  our  neighbour,  within  their  jurifclidtion ,  we 
have  no  more  ule  of  Lawes ,  but  are  all  brought 
under  a  meere  arbi trarie  G overn men t.     And 
thtnMaULeges^tc  know  what  foliowes,  fat 
Certamen, 

But  Law  had  no  mercy ,  and  perhaps  thefe 
holy  men  will  be  tender-hearted,  eafie- handed  in 
laying  on  the  fcourge  of  chaftifement. 

Let  usl^ehow  they  deale  with  one  of  their 
owne,  one  ilmt^  being  excommunicated,  writes 
totheBrcthren^thathemightbereftored  to  the 
Church ,  from  which  hee  had  beene  long  kept  -,.-  „  . 
out.  (pt)  lVoeTsme^\QL\mntC^thatjamcaJtoHtfoi,iij, 
ofyourprefencethisday,  Andifthis  woe  andjhame 
didbut  touch  the  body^it  were  tollerable  ;  for  then 
at  the  day  of  death  Ifiould  end  my  miferie ,  and  no 
more  heare  the  words  of  reproach  :  But  woe  is  me^ 
that  there  is  a  partition  wall  between  heaven  and 
my  Confeience  :  if  my  offence  may  not  he  paffed  by 
without  further  confefsionyeven  before  Godandhk 
Church  in  London^will  I  lye  downe  and  lickjhe  dufi 
atyourfeet.  L  2  Sec 


See  here  you  eager  advocates  for  the  advan>- 
cingof  this  holy  Diicipline  the  pretious  fruits 
you  are  like  to  rcapc  by  if.  Such  as  thefe  will 
teach  you  perfeft  humility ;  They  have  learnt  of 

n  ftChron.  xo,io;  Kf /i<?^/?^/!»/ Counfellors ,  to  mak^e  their  little  fia-' 
ger  thicker  than  the  Bijhofs  hjnef.  Thtw  ^um^» 
ments  (perhaps)  wrung  the  purfe^  but  thofe 
will  grare  the  foulc. 

And  if  wee  (hould  well  examine  upon  what 
eafie  occafions  this  fe.arefull  fcntence  flyesoutj 

suckjiffz  X  35.  we  fliould  much  more  feare  it.     A^  Geneva  two 

Minifiers  weredefofedand  ba»i[h*d^  forficaking 
againfi  ufurie  :  lohn  MoreUi  for  faying  the  vpords^ 
leU  the  Church  mre  not  alone  appropriate  to-  the 
Cofijfftorie ,  and  if  frequently  ufed  upon  everic 
private  Grudge*  Whereas  no  man  ought  to  bee 
excommunicate ,  but  where  the  Law  faith,  hee 
(hould  be  condemned.  If  Law  bee  King ,  and 
will  a  Tyrant ,  furc  all  that  will  preferve  Law, 
andwilllove  libertie,  unwillingly  fubmit  their 
necks  to  the  Tyrannicall  yoak  of  fuch  DiA 
cipline.  :^ 


SECT* 


The  forme  of  Difcifline  theyprefcribe  is  c^t%^ 
fijjed  to  be  ay  oak. 

YEt  oh.  fay  many,  here  is  fo  excellent  a  forme 
of  Government,  the  FarechiaU  Freibjterc^n 
runnc  into  no  extravagance ,   but  hee  is  ac^ 
comptable  to  the  Treshyterie  or  Clafntall  mee- 
titt2^  mbichvon/^jh  of  particular  Kirks  infttch  a  o  Report  of  church- 

Cir^HtP.  (O)    r^    ' 

And  what's  the  bofinclTc  there  f  Nottofup- 
prefle,  but  to  exercije  the  power  oflMrifdi&ion^  Or-  By  the  Ordinances-  «f 
dirfationjMfpe^fiof^^DeprivatioH,  bnP principally  ^ZZluZn'^.  Z.m^ 
allperfons  ofvphatfopverquaki^y^  difobedunt  to  that  will  not  ibnd  to 
their  Minijierr  and  Eldtrs^are  with  great  Autho'  ^^^  Ordinances  of  the 
ritie  cenfurjed;  So  here  we  muft  learne  obedience  f^°"''^7;"  ^^^''^ 
to  the  wills  of  men  not  of  Lawes :  Yec  thefe  Cla(^  " 
fesagaine  are  rc^qHfall  to  the  ProvinciallSy-, 
nods\:  An^they  perhaps  may  regulate  the  rigour 
of  the  Presbyters. 

But  doe  not  the  Paftors  of  Nrn?  England  tell 
US^Thatnv  Paflors  by  Gods  word  have authori tie  A    modeft    Advcrrife. 
aver  others  Jorihat-every  Minifier  bath  his  powtr  "^^l^  ""^  %^!'''^  ^^• 
both  oj  Order  and  lurijatCfton  tmtftedtately  jrom 
Chrijtiefus ,  and  therefore  to  him  onely  if  refpon^ 
fiblt  Jorjhe  DoUrinebee  teaches ^^  th  Difcipline 


4  SHfve/ofPteshytene, 

hie  exercifes ,  and  the  Cenfures  that  hee  inflict: 
Therfore(fay  l\\^y)  for  any  number  ofMinifiers  in 
a  Synod ^  totakttothemfelves  Authoritieover  o^ 
thers  who  are  equall  in  DigniticJt  ^'  if  to  fet 
up  a  Humane  Authoritie  that  Chrifi  never  injii" 
tutedy  and  to  exefcije  a  Tyrannie^  and  Foperie 
■^  of  the  Vresbyterie^  as  bad  ^  nay  worfe  than  Bi^ 

fiops, 

Yec  there  is  a  higher  appeale  to  the  Nationall 
K^jfembly  y  and  there  the  Recifrdf  of  Synods  are 
perufed^A&sand  Conjiitutiontfor  all  Kirkes  are 
agreed  upon  mth  common  confintt  had  will  they 
obey  the(e  Con  ftitutions  > 

Some  confefle,  that  in  the  Aflembly  of  the  A-^ 
poftleSjCenaine  oblervances  were  impolcdotithe 

/>  Aflsi^.iB.  Churches,  (p)  Bnt  this  A&  of  the  Apofiles^ky 

they,^'  no  prefident  or  patterneftrfncceeding  ages^ 
for  the  fS^poJiles  Were  infpired  with  the  Holy 

^  Ghofiy  andwhen^iifAjfembly  can  infallibly  affure 

them  they  are  infpired  with  the  Hifty  Ghoji  ^  then 
qChmoiihis throne.  fljgy„ill^l,g^^    ^^y 

"'"  *  ^^'-  But  chough  they  w*41  admit  no  Law  or  Superi- 

our  over  themfelvcs ,  yet  here  perhaps  the  Lai  tie 

may  receive  reliefeagatnfhhe  rigor  of  their  Ccn- 

r  Report  of  the  Go-  ^^tes :  for  one  tels  US3  (r)  All  Appellations^Petiti' 

vcrnm«nt  of  the  Church  onsfiritvances^andComplaintf  are  examined  and 

byiPfcsbytcry.  determined  by  this fufr  earn  &higheJiKirk,Iudiea' 

torie :  what  redrefle  we  may  expe^t^  hence  we  are' 

informed  immediatefy  before,  they  are  refponjible 

mely  to  lefus  chrifi. 

And  the  fame  f eporter>  {^infy  teHs  us ,  the^ 

c  ^  ptrpetuM 


A  Surife/fif  Preshyterk. 

perpetM^fl  Kirk^s^artnof  govsrm^  fy  the  itttrinfi^ 
caflfomer  ofoft^  one  or  many  fit  over  them ,  as  in 
the  MonaxfhicdllGotarnment  of  F relates^  but  they 
are  ruled  and  judged  bj  themfelves. 

If  fo,  wee  had  need  have  a  ftrong  fikh  in  their 
IntcgfitieSjfor  if  we  admit  a  poffiKry  of  doing 
wrong  in  them ,  we  leave  very  little  probabrlitie 
of  receiving  right :  for  fir  ft  they  are  accomprable 
onely  toChrift.  Next  they  are  both  judges  and 
parties.  Thofethar  give  falie  JiKfgementin  the 
ClaifeSjare  judges  in  the  Synods  in  the  National! 
afTemblies :  and  from  them  is  no  appeale  to  any 
Prince  in  the  world ,  (  for  they  fit  in  Chrifts 
Throne : )  And  this  is  utterly  deftruftive  to  the 
peoples  Ubertie. 

Now  in  this  whole  Gradation  of  Church  go- 
vernment by  Presbyteries,  Clafles, Synods ,  and 
NationaJl  AflTepnblies :  What's  become  of  our 
old  fuperintendenr power  of  Parliaments  >  wee 
have  all  this  while  beene  perfwaded ,  That  EpiP 
copacy  is  inconfiftent  with  this  Stare  5  as  exerci- 
fing  (bme  power  not  warranted  by  our  Lawes, 
we  are  ftrongly  excited  by  forae  Diiciplinarians, 
to  root  them  out  for  attempting  to  put  in  execu- 
tion fbme  Gonftitutions  not  ratified  by  Parlia- 
ment. 

Yet  now  we  muft  learne ,  That  the  Farllament 
cannot  hinder  ( thefc  Difciplinarians^  to  make 
tawes  Ecclefiajiicall^feeing  EeclefiafikallGovern' 
mentk  independant,  ThAtgenerallAjJemhlies  may 
re<:aU  AUs  ratified  tn  Parlitmint ,  which  being 

annulled. 


A  Survey  $f  Presbytery^. 

In  tticii  Synods  Aey  aHHHlkd^  the  Cit/iUrutificiaion fill f  cxC^nfe^eu- 

difaunuil  all  Lawcs,  ft.  And  though  ouf  Lawcs  make  voydall  Ca- 

they  conceive  repug-  ^ons  Of  Conftifutions  repugnant  to  the  Kings 

sutJiti}e.fd.  13 1.         prerogative,  or  the  Lawcs  and  Cuftomes  of  tl^ 

Kingdomc  ^  (  which  prelerve  our  liberties )  yet 

we  muft  now  know ,   that  h&  ponder  nor  lihertiel 

ought  to  be  permitted  to  an/State^  Degree^or  AU" 

thority^  (  Tvbatfoever  they  he  )  to  live  without  the 

f   i{f,o^  his  cxhoitati  -  jQ^jj^  ofhifiipUne,  Qf) 

on.pag.91.9^.  ,  EttdUjHgo  lib9rtatemindHim4tsf  And  is  all j 

our  long  laboar*d  liberty  become  a  yoke?  A^ 
yokeunavoydable,  ayokeunfupportaWe.  Truc- 
\y ifthisbe  fo,  we  may  truely  wri te. 

Sic  vos  non  vobjsfertif  Aratra  Boves*  •  r 

We  have  fpun  a  fairc  thread ,  That  Kings  thtj 
nurjing  Fathers ,  and  ^eens  the  nurfing  Mothersl 

i  iraiak.49. 23.         ofSyon.,(t)  Cthe  fupreame  Govemours  of  the 
Church  )  Princes  the  heads  ef  their  Fathers  hou* 

u  Numb.  7f  a.  J}s^  (h)  Frinces  of  the  Tribes ,  (  whofe  office  if  to 

rule  in  judgement )  Nobles  that  conferre  bUfsing 
upon  ihat  land  where  4heir  fonnes  inherite  the 

w  ifaiah.  j2. 1.  Crowne^  {xp)  Gentrie  the  flowers  of  this  garden 

of  Europe^  fcnc'd  by  the  protection  of  the  Lawes 
as  with  a  partition  Wall  againft  the  fpoyle  of 
vermine  vulgar,  the  Boaresof  the  Forreft  that 
would  root  up  our  plants,  "^^ed  and  prun'd  from 
inbred  Weed  and  Canker  by  the  skilfull  hand  of 
Parlaments,  (hould  now  be  all  caft  into  the  lump, 
laid  common :  All  become  yoke-fellowes >  beare 

the 


the  bonds  of  fuch  bound  Icfle  DifcipIinarianSj 
which  hold  rhemfelves  fubordinate  neither  to 
Emperours,  Kings,  Princes,  Magiftrates,  Lawes, 
Parliaments,  Presbyteries,  Synods,  Aflemblies, 
nor  any  thing  they  ever  meane  to  reckon  with 
in  this  world  5  but  onely  to  lefus  Chrift  their 
Head. 

Such  as  rhefe  rather  appeare  to  bee  of  the  fol- 
lowers of  Jehu  thefoftne  ofNimfhi ,  for  they  drive 
.furioufiy^{x)  who  walk  *d  in  the  wayes  of /er<7-  «   2  Kings  9.  10; 
boam :  Then  of  tho(e  undcfikd  Virgins^  that  fol- 
iowtheLa/ffbewhitherfoever  heegocth.(y}    Wee;  Revelation.  14 
know  that  the  meek  he  will  guid  in  judgement  ^  and 
iheMeekevpiU  he  teach  his  way.  (z)  Bur  fuch  as  ^   pfai.  2$.  9. 
have  bitter  envying  and  ftrife  in  their  heartSjT/j^- 
wifedomedefcendethnot  from  above ^bnt  is  earthly^   *  lames  3.  17^ 
fenfuaU.devilliJh,  {*) 


4» 


SECT.    16. 

The  vaiH€  exntfe  that  Lay  Elders  f mil  mode- 
rate them  refuted, 

YEtiomehave  Jifine  veiie  to  blinde  the  eyes 
of  the  willing  (  and  certainly  none  (ee  lelle 
than  the  u  ilfuUy  blind )  that  this  is  a  mixt 
government ,  we  (hall  have  Lay  Elders  amongft 
them  to  moderate  the  extravagancies  of  the  pa- 
ftors,andweneednc'tfeare  but  they  will  looke 
tathem.  M  Alas 


iji  Survey  ^/Presbyterie. 

Alas  how  vaine  a  (hadow  is  this ,  when  wee 
looke  upon  it  but  with  the  light  of  realcm^  Arc 
we  not  taught  5  thefe  Elders  muft  bee  chofen  by 
the  voyce  of  the  people:  an  dare  not  the(e  peo- 
ple taught  by  the  paftors  fubordinate  to  them, 
the  Elders  being  but  temporary,  for  halfe  a  yeare 
orayeare,  is  it  probable  they  (hall  have  thatde- 
pendance  upon  one  another?  they  (hall  have 
that  intereft  in  thepariih,  as  hee  that  is  perpe- 
tuus Di&ator,  Chancellour,  Arbiter  for  life  in 
his  petty  popcdome. 

Some  men  talkeofdumbe  Dogs,  and  certain- 
ly he  will  be  held  fuch,  that  cannot  fo  beftir  him- 
felfeinhisparifli,  as  to  haveall  their  votesfol- 
low  his,  who  hath  (uch  abfolure  power  over  e- 
a  HamioaofthcFoT,  very  mans  per(on,  family,  and  e(tate.  (a)  If  then 
&c,  £f.  X.  a  s,  by  this  rule ,  every  littkparifh  Church  (l)ould  have 

snecmus  de  Tiifdplm y^^^^  y^ j^  Elders  at  the  leafi^  and  every  great 
« eM  p<i^- 45  •  church  thirteene^  and  the  fe  people  at  the  devoti- 
ons of  their  paftor ,  of  their  Chancellour ,  wee 
have  then  inftantly  no  lefle  than  a  hundred  thou- 
fand  Church-governourSjbefides  their  adheren  ts^ 
which  admitted,  wee  are  fure  in  dangernever  to 
recover  a  free  Parliament  againc :  and  in  ftead  of 
a6. Bi(hops,  whofe  deputation  is  from,  whofc 
dependance  is  upon  the  King  as  fiipreame,  whofe 
temporall  power  is  wholly  derived  from, limited 
^  by  the  Lawes  ^  whofe  perfons  are  eafiiy  refpon- 

fible  to  Parliament t ,  for  any  deviation  from  the 
rules  of  Law ,  wee  (hould  thus  expofe  our  felves 
to  an  irrecoverable  fubje^ion  to  a  multitude, 

whole 


A  Survey  <>/Presbyrerie. 

whole  Eledtion  is  prefcribed  to  (lurt  Divlno)  im- 
mediately from  Chri  ft  lefus,  who  are  the  carw 
vers  cftheirowne Government,  (b)  Their Na^  f,  VicwofthePreiati- 
ttonall  Ajfembly  to  he  gathered  once  in  three  years  y  callCivurch  iol«  41, 
to  make  Canons,  and  to  eftahlij}}  Ecclefinjikall  Go- 
vernntent:  Thisindependant  of  >P<ir//4/»<:«//^ac- 
comptable  to  none  but  Chrift  Jeftis  either  for 
Doftrine  or  Diicipline^  and  if  in  time  found 
to  be  extravagant  from ,  or  deftrudtive  to  all 
Lawes  and  Government,  yet  the  Parliament  (hall 
then  hare  an  Hoaft  to  encounter ,  and  not  a  few 
Delinquents  to  puniOi. 

May  not  their  owne  words  be  more  properly 
inverted  upon  fuchjthan  on  the  Bifliops.  (c)  Such  *  EnglanJs  complaint 
(/•re/^^^er/W/)  Government  and  Jurifdiaion  it  is  l^e^ca^ons*!"^  '^''"^^ 
meerly  papall,though  not  in  the  firft  degree  (the 
Ftf;>eu(urping  an  univerfall  power  over  all  the 
Churches  in  the  world )  yet  in  a  (ccond  :  Everie 
paftorinhisDiccclIe  (hisparifh)  exercifing  a 
papall  power ,  and  (b  doth  cunningly  under- 
mine theKoyall  Office,  and  overthrow  Gods  fa- 
cred  Ordinance ,  who  hath  given  a  power  and 
charge  to  Kings  to  fupprefle  all  fuch  Eccle- 
fiafticall  Tyranny  over  the  foules  of  his  people. 

Yet  perhaps  it  may  be  fayd ,  though  their  go- 
vernment bee  thus  wholly  fcver'd  frc  m  the  Par- 
liaments, andftandsapartbyit  felfe,  our  Lay 
Elders  (hall  have  vote  among  them  in  all  their 
Synods,  and  Aflcmblies,whomay  have  a  care  to 
ballance  the  (cale'twixt  Church  and  State.  But 
are  wee  not  told  5  Some  one  Elder  of  each  TariJJj 
M  3  appoynted 


L//  ^^ri;^'^?/ Presbytery. 

$ffoynttdby  the  particular  Kirk^  Sejjions^  and  the 
vchole  Minijlerie  of  thofe  Churches  meeA^  d^c» 
Whereto ,  if  their  Doftors  and  Teachers  bee 
admitted,  they  are  double  in  number  to  the  Lay- 
men; ifequallj  one  Lay  Elder  inclining  to  their 
partie  turnes  the  /cale ;  if  not,  yet  how  incapable 
inrefpeftof  abilities,  how  inadivein  relped  of 
Spirit,  thefe  annuall  temporary  Officers  muft 
needs  be,  incomparifbnof  this  powerfull  prea- 
ching mimfterie,  which  hath  (uch  abfokire  autho- 
rity over  the  foules  of  their  parifhioners,  every 
man  may  forefee  with  halfe  an  eye. 


SECT.  17, 

No  refer  wed  Chm  ch  gives  any  prep  dent 
farallellvpith  ours, 

BU  T  many  of  us  will  not  truft  or  trouble  our 
owne  judgement  to  rifle  into  the  confequen- 
ces  of  things  ;  but  wee  cry  cur, how  doeo- 
ther  Reformed  Churches  i  Gem hu/mananovita- 
tisavida'y  and  no  Nation  more  unfortunately, 
more  improvidently  prone  to  follow  falhions 
than  we. 

And  alas,  whence  can  we  fetch  a  patterne,that 
(the  frcedome  of  our  State eonfidered  )  would 
not  render  us  mi(erablc  i 

Can  the  French  be  any  prefident  to  us ,  who 

live 


A  Survey  of  Vxt^^itxS^. 

live  under  a  Monarch  of  another  Religion,  who 
will  allow  them  n'>Sea,  no  Diocefle  ,  no  meares 
foraBilh  p.-  whcfeBifhops  will  admit  no  Tub - 
BiQi  >ps  of  another  faith  under  their  juriHii^-i- 
on: Therefore  what  neceflicie  mikes  to  rbem 
Law,  muft  we  mike  our  choyce  ?  Is  it  the  pofi- 
tion  of  their  Church  to  exclude  them  * 

Shall  weebelceve(JWi>»//»him(elfe?  hefaies, 
{d)OHradvcrfariesnnjujilyaccufeHs  to  be  enemies  ^   Moulins  Buckler  of 
of  the  E pip  opal/  Order  :  for  we  Muji  be  altogether  ^\l^  £^\^  1  ^  /  ^^'     "^"^ 
ignorant  oj  Hijiories^ifwe  do  not  krtow  tlyat  all  art" 
tiqHttiefpeakss  honourably  of  that  degree. 

The  Geneva  Dilcipline  many  dote  upon,  not 
knowing;  what  it  is,  nor  how  confident  without 
Stare.  That  which  make?  our  common  people  Co 
greedily  embrace  this  defircd  change,  is  rhe  fre- 
quent preaching,  and  poflefling  them  of  an  inre- 
reft  in  the  power  of  the  Keyes  5  if  they  follow 
that  prefident  ,  they'le  finde  thcmfelvcs  de- 
ceived. 

Be'La  tells  us,  (e)  In  Geneva  the  Elders  are  cho^  e  'Degradibus  Minifies 
fenyearely^  not  of  the  bafer  fort  of  people,  but  of  ^""P'^^" 
the  order  of  1^,60.  ox  100,  men^  which  bee  the 
Counfels  of  that  State.  Nor  was  that  government 
of  choyfe,  as  fitteftj  but  ofnecefTity.  Their  Bijhop 
was  alfo  their  Prince ,  who   had  fuch  power  as  .^     «  ^.      . 

the  Duke  of  Venice.    And  having  treated  with  /ayesiit\.  The^L^op 
the  Duke  of  Savoy  ^  theirenemy,  was  forced  to  faiMedo/EmperovrVxe- 
flye  5 during  whofe  life  they  could  not  make  a  '^'"'^"'^^1'  ("^"^  f- 
new  Bithop,  burlubmitted  to  a  new  forme  of  nera  Rtgau \ure. 
Government  under  Mafter  Calvin ,  who  onely 

M  3  wanted 


/    8   Ptopoficions    in 
Print. 

g  (^alvi*^.opufculum  In 
(Jotijef,  Ecdef.  Gallu:, 
fatemur  ergo  Epifcopos 
five  pufiores  reverenter 
audiendos,  quatevm  pro 
fute  funifionit  ratiotie 
verbiim  T>ei  docetjt. 


I   Corinth.  14. 


j1  Survey  of^csbytene, 

wanted  the  Title,  but  was  of  much  greater  pow- 
er than  a  BiQiop  nor  was  ar  that  enmity  with  the 
Order  as  cur  Novclifts  are,  who  profeiTe  it 
(inne  to  heare  (chem  or  for  their  fakes^  a»^  Mini' 
fiers  C/)  f  reach  in  the  Church  of  England.  For 
hee  fayes,  IVee  confejfe  that  Bijhops  or  Pafiors  mujl^ 
bereverently  heard^  as  far  re  as  they  teach  the  word 
of  God  according  to  their  funiiivn.  (g) 

Butadmit  they  being  a  private  State  5  a  Cot- 
tage in  refped):  of  a  Kingdome,  fubmit  themfclves 
to  the  Oeconomick  Government  of  a  Family, 
(theirs  is  no  more  in  comparifon  to  this  glorious 
Monarchy)  {haliwerelin<]uinicurLawes,  can 
we  reduce  this  populous  Nation  ( that  peoples  Co 
many  forraine  Ifles)  into  the  fame  mould  that 
modells a  handful!. 

Some  have  already  entertained  (b  degenerate 
thoughts  that  they  can  mention  Switzerland^  a 
faire  patterne  5  and  fo  doe  I  with  horror  and  in- 
dignati<:)n. 

Others  the  Low  Countrie  Difcipline  pleafes 
well ;  a  fit  objed  for  fuch  ;  they  muft  indeed  look 
downewards  ftill  that  are  (b  pleas'd,  and  not  up-? 
wards,  to  the  God  of  Order ,  and  not  ofConfujion: 
who  fees  the  diftraded  Sedts  and  Schifmes  that  a- 
bound  in  that  State,  and  does  not  pitty^lb  neare, 
folcv'd  neighbours, were  not  partakers  of  that 
bleffing  (wee  call  miierie,  and  out  o^  love  to 
Novekie  are growne  wearie  of )  uniformiticQf 
Difcipline. 

Truth  is,  wee  are  taken  with  the  (hadow  of  that 

which 


A  Survey  of^x^^xtnt. 
which  cflenrially  is  net  there.  The  Scepter  ofDif- 
cipline ;  If  we  muft  change,!  would  bee  glad  we 
might  take  prefident  from  their  Metropolis  Am- 
fterdam:  where 'tis  true,  they  were  bufie  to  ad- 
vance this  Throne  of  Chrift,  to  put  thk  yoke  up- 
on the  neck  of  that  State,  but  their  troublefome 
and  ambitious  fpirits  once  difcovered  ,  they 
quickly  nipt  thefe  foaring  Birds  ith'  ihell ,  redu- 
ced the  PaftoTS  to  the  number  of  thirteene ,  of 
thofe  keeping  for  the  moft  part  three  vacant, 
which  Ciry,being  compared  with  this  o^London^ 
both  for  populoufneffe  and  capacity,  it  will  eafily 
appeare thofe  ten,  who  muft  fupply  the  accidents 
of  Feftivails^  Marriages,  and  Funeralls ,  doe  not 
trouble  their  heads  with  many  Stare  affaires.  Yet 
to  make  them  fiire,  they  allow  them  their  C  iafli- 
call  meetings  ,  but  provided  one  of  the  Magi- 
ftrates  of  the  Citie  be  prefent :  And  if  he  fay  no, 
all  they  confult  flands  for  nothing. 

This  propificion  made  and  aftented  to  by  all 
thefe  zealous  petitioners  againft  ih\%  ufurpation^ 
this  Monopoly  of  the  power  of  the  Keyes-  in  the 
hands  oftheBifl) ops  :  That  the  prime  Gentle- 
man in  every  parifti  (hall  be  perpetuall  Elder  and 
have  a  negative  voyce,  I  confeffe  in  poynt  of  pri- 
vate policie  I  am  convinc'd ;  I  may  perhaps  be  in 
time  an  Elder,  and  doubt  not  but  theGentrie 
will  thus  make  a  (hift  to  keep  the  Clergy  humble, 
the  vulgar  low  enough. 

But  if  we  muft  looke  for  new  eIed;ions  every 
year,what  muft  this  produce  but  a  little  Civil  war 
in  every  parifh?  We 


A  Survey  of  Presbyterie. 

We  have  yet  a  nearer  prefident ,  and  before 
we  know  what  it  is,  long  for  the  ScottiQi  Difci- 
pVme.  I  could  beg!ad  weehad  fo  much  patience 
CO  ler  them  be  our  probationers  therein  for  one 
feven  yeares.  But  we  (hal  I  be  told,  fie Juit  ab  anti- 
quo^  it  was  ib  of  old  with  them.  Now  what  ef- 
fefts  both  to  King  and  Common- wealth  the  po- 
fitions  of  Hime  Difciplinarians  of  that  Nation 
have  in  former  times  produc'd ,  'tis  better  to  be 
forgot  than  looked  into :  All  Khali  fay  is,  That 
certainly  our  freer  people  have  not  fuch  depen- 
dance  upon,  are  not  indeed  in  (uch  vaflallage  to 
the  N  obiliiy,  the  Gentrie ,  as  the  Common  peo- 
ple of  Scotland  ^re  in  to  their  Lords :  their  Nobi- 
lity and  Gentrie  ^having  abiblute  power  over 
rheit  Tenants)  (ball  ever  bearc  fway  in  the 
Church.  Bur  it  will  not  be  fo  with  us ,  the  inferi- 
our  fort  of  people  once  finding  their  power  in 
popular  eleftion  of  Elders ,  will  rather  exclude 
boih  Nobility  and  Gentry,  and  then  no  doubt 
the  Church  will  be  well  govern*d :  our  Commu- 
nalty  depend  upon  Lawcs,not  Lords  :*Tis  Law 
which  hath  made  us  a  free  people. 

That  wee  knowby  acertaineLaw,  that  our 
wives,  our  Children ,  our  Servants,  our  goods 
are  our  owne,  that  we  build,  we  plough,  we  fow, 
we  reap  for  our  (elves,  thisis  true  liberrie.  How 
little  of  this  they  enjoy  from  whom  weewculd 
takeapatterne,who  are  but  Tenants  at  will  to 
their  Lords ,  they  that  will  fedato  unimo 
compare  the  Conllirution  of  that  State  with 

this, 


i^  Survey  of  Prefbyrery. 

this  ,  would  with  mee  againe  crie. 
Ohfortunati  nimium  bonajlfua  norint  Angligend  I 


SECT.  i8. 

Ccnclufion^  to  review  Epifcopacie. 

IF  then  there  be  no  prefident  that  exai^Iy  paral- 
lels ourSj  without  great  alteration;  wee  muft 

certainly  introduce  aliquid  de  novo  5  fet  up 
fome  new  forme  by  our  felves.  And  what  incon- 
veniences that  may  bring  to  a  Icded  State ,   was 
well  expreft  by  St.  Auftin^  Ipfa  mutatio  Confuetu- 
dinky  etiam  qH£  adjuvat  ntilitate^  novitate  per- 
tHrbaty(k)  which  is  ingenioufly  expreft  by  that  k  ^^^j'^-'^dtamauE^' 
learned  VeruUm,  (I)  Way  given  to  mutation,  /' /wiL  Confidcm- 
though  in  taking  amay  almfes^yet  it  may  fa  acquaint  ^ions  concerning  pacifi- 
menmthfmetne£eofchange.as  it  will  undermine  ;^Y.'°?  °^'^'  ^^"''^' 
the  fiabilitie  even  of  that  which  is  found  and  good: 
holdinglt  againfi  all  good  policie  to  innovate  any 
thingin  church  matters :  and  whether  warrant- 
able in  Divinitie  orno  ,  to  aboHfh  To  ancient  a 
Conftitution  is  queftionable. 

»Twas  (mc  thinks)  a  Maxime  of  fbme  weight, 
^i  mala  introducit^  voluntatcm  Dei  oppugnat 
revelatam  in  verbo :  ^i  nova  introducit  volunta-* 
tern  Dei  oppugnat  revelatam  in  rebus,  Hee  thaP 
brif^gs  into  the  Church  any  bad cufi erne  oppofes  the 

N  mil 


A  Survey  of  Presby  ferie. 

will  of  God  revealed  by  hit  word:  who  introducex 
any  net»  cufiomes  oppofeth  Gods  will  revealed 
by  faB, 

If  then  in  the  whole  leiies  of  this  new  FredU 
cavrnt  of  Difcipline  (  wee  ftiould  put  our  felves 
inroj  wee  finde  the  defigne  of  fuch  is  to  draw 
their  necks  out  of  the  yoaks  of  all  Ecclcfiafticall 
and  CivillGovernmenCj  neither  to  be  preicribed 
in  Dodrine  nor  Difcipline,  their  per(bns  reftray- 
ned  by  no  L  aw ,  their  Government  inconfiftent 
with  Monarchy,  Magistracy,  Lawes,  deftrudive 
to  Genrrie .  Their  calling  independent  either  on 
King  or  people  :  Their  power  above  Princes, 
Potentates,  Nobles,  PeoplejLaweSjParliamentsi 
their  errours  accomptible  to  none  butChrift  a- 
lone  i  no  forraine  State,  or  Reformed  Church  gi- 
ving any  exadprefidentabfolutelyparallellwith 
ours^  and  no  fo  great  mutation ,  being  without 
hazard  to  the  State,  and  (perhaps)  not  war- 
ranted by  Gods  Word.   In  the  name  of  God  let 
us  looke  ere  wee  take  this  defperate  leap  ^  from 
the  inconveniences  whereof  can  bee  no  recovery, 
(ifthey  once  get  the  upper  hand)  but  by  a  new 
Conqueft.  Farre  bee  it  from  mce  to  prefume  to 
prescribe  a  remedy,  'tis  the  cafier  way  to  give  cau- 
tions,  to  defcry  inconveniences,  to  difcover 
Rocks,  than  toaflume  to  fteere  the  (hip  of  State 
in  a  fafe  courfe  5  to  give  Counfell ,  other  than 
what  is  warranted  by  gord  authoritie. 
In  Inch  diftradtions ,  when  wee  finde  the  time 
m  X  fim.  4.  3.  4.     now  fully  come,  (pi)  That  men  mil  not  endure 

found 


A  Survey  ^/Presbytery, 

fsuudDd&rine ,  but  after  their  omne  lufis  heap  up 

t$  themfelves  teachers^  having  itching  earet^  tur* 

ning  from  the  truth  unt$  Fables.   And  as  St.  Teter 

(ayes,  (n )  Being  unlearned^  andunjiahk^  wrejling  n   Peter  j>  kT, 

the  Scriptures  tff  their  9wnedefirn&ion :  Then  is 

the  Prophets  Counlell  feafonablc.  State  fuper 

vias  K^ntiquas  ^   ( o)  Stand  yee  in  the  wayes^  »  lercmiah.  tf.  itf. 

and  fee  and  askefor  the  oldfaths  where  is  the  good 

TPay^  andwalke  therein ,  andyeeJhuU  finde  reji  for 

yourfoules. 

Let  us  Icoke  back  into  Antiquitie ,  and  fee  be- 
fore wee  part  with  this  reverend  old  order  of  E- 
pifcopacy  for  this  new  fangledDifcipline,  whe- 
ther it  will  bee  made  good  to  bee  deduc'd  from 
Chrift  himfelfe  to  his  ApoftleSj  to  the  Angels  of 
the  Churches,  to  the  Fathers  of  the  Primitive 
timesj  continued  in  the  fame  j  ur ifdiftion  and  fu- 
pcriority  over  other  degrees  of  the  Clergie,  di- 
ftributed into Diocefles 5  honour'd  with  Titles 
and  Attributes ,  indued  with  power ,  approved 
in  other  Reformed  Churches,  and  no  way  oppo- 
fite  to,  but  confifVent  with  our  Lawes  5  and  then 
though  there  be  many  errours  crept  into  the  exe- 
cution, which  prove  not  to  bee  in  the  Confl-itu- 
tion  ;  I  hope  we  fhall  have  it  reduced  to  its  an- 
tientpuritiej  and  not  caft  away  our  Gold  for  a 
little  rufl:. 

In  the  difquifition  whereof  I  would  not  have 
any  man  looke  for  any  thing  from  me  de  novoy 
or  thinke  I  aflbmetoaddeanyftrength  to  their 
caufej  I  doe  but  binde  together  a  pofieof  the 

N  2  flowers 


A  Survey  of  Presbytery. 

flowers  of  others  plantings  oncly  having  taken 
(c)me  paincs  topleafe  and  (atisfie  my  (elfe,  I  (hall' 
be  glad  if  any  man  elfe  can  reap  any  content  out 
of  my  labours.  Ettuc  mfirmatut ,  confirm  a  fra" 
tres^tpasChrJftianCounfell^  and  I  confefle  had  I 
power  to  doe  it,  I  would  draw  all  the  world  to 
my  opinion  5  that  is  to  reverence  their  Calling, 
preferve  their  Order ,  yet  with  as  free  a  refoluti- 
on,  and  as  refpedlelfe  of  their  perfons,  fubmit  to 
the  exemplar  puniftiment  of  fuch  as  ftaine  the  ho- 
nour of  their  CoatjCntrench  upon  our  Liberties, 
negligently  ftarve  their  flock,  covetoufly  en- 
grolTe  the  meanes  of  faithfull  Labourers,  or  with 
their  Novelties  diftrad  the  Church ,  as  any  man 
that  lives. 


FINIS. 


Imprimatur.  Tho.  Wykcs. 
May  22. 1 54 1. 


0) 


To  the  Honorable 

the  Lord  Bifhops. 
Reverend  Fathers^ 

iN  chcfir^patt  of  this  Dilcourfc,  I 
'  haveb&d  a  particular  Intcrcft,  us'd 
the  liberty  of  my  o  wnc  cxprcflion  e 
out  of  the  fenfc  and  fore-fight  of  my 
ownc  endangered  Liberty ;  which 
I  apprehend  abfolucely  to  depend 
upon  the  prefervation  of  your  re- 
gulated order  and  Legal  1  Govern- 
ment; to  be  inevitably ,  if  not  irreco- 
verably, loft  by  the  admiflion  of  an  irregular  ,  Arbitrary 
Presbytery.  I  dcnic  not  but  the  wifcdome  of  this  Age  may 
finde  out  a  new  way , neither  pictcm'd  by  the  Apoftles,  nor 
pradiz*dinany  Age  or  State;  and  when  itiscfiiblinied 
by  Law,  1  know  my  part,  obedience:  But  till  then.  Law 
being  on  my  iide,God  forbid  I  (hould  not  as  freely  fpeak  in 
defence  offundanentall  Lawes ,  of  Divine  infticutions,  as 
othcri  doc  to  the  fubvcrfion  of  both. 

Such  hag  beenethe  unbappinefleof  my  Privacic,  lam 
fcarce  knowne  to,  hardly  know  any  of,  your  perfons:  yet 

♦  wit^ 


with  that  Reverence  doc  I  lookc  upon  your  Sacred  order 
^^an  Apoftolicall,  thcrcrorcnot  qucftionablc  inftitutidn. 
I  confideryoiir  PrcdcccOburs  as  the  Ballart  which  have 
poyz*d  the  Barks  of  Monarchy,  toiaylcfafely  in  the  Scapf 
Vulgar,  whofe  piety  and  wifedomefirftprcfcribedthc  Me- 
dium twixt  Tyrannic  and  Anarchy.  Till  BiHiops  hclp*d 
to  reduce  tfec  unbounded  wills  ot  Prircesto  the  limits  of 
La  wcs^  Kings  were  Tyrants-:  And  where  «ver  they  arc  nor, 
there  ever  foUpwesa  popular(which  is  aworfe  Tyranny.) 
Obedience  to  Kings,  Conformity  to  Lawes,is  a  jyaty  both 
to  God  and  nature,  but  fubjedlion  to  th:  abfoluteand  unlf-  - 
mited  wills  of  men  is  unnaturall  to  thofe  that  were  borne 
under  the  protedion  of  La  wcs . 

Long  ha*s  this  Nation  flourifhcd  in  thcequall  difpenfa- 
tionofLawes,  by  Divines, Civilians,and  Gommon  Law- 
yers ;  Glorious  and  fortunate  have  beene  the  Proficients  in 
all  of  them ;  They  much  deceive  themlelvcs  that  think  the 
onefliall  rife  by  the  fall  of  the  other  two. 

If  two  or  three  mixt  Arbitrary  Courts,  fitting  oncly  in 
Tearmstimc,  fhall  be  thought  fo  prcjudiciall  to  the  Cotn-^ 
mon  Law ,  what  muft  a  Quotidian-Chancery  prove  in 
every  Parifh  ?  Sure  hec  that  fliould  but  ferioufly  confider 
the  condition  of  the  Advocates  in  the  Low  {^oftntrUs,  ge^ 
neva,  and  in  all  places  where  the  Presbytery  hath  got  foot- 
ing, would  burne  his  BarrGowne,  and  begin  anew  pro- 
fcffion,  at  the  apprchenfion  of  luch  a  change.  No  doubt 
Rebm  ficfinntibHi,  At  this  inftant,therc  arc  many  able  men 
ready  to  fupply  your  voyded  fcates ,  and  an  inftant  extirt- 
guilLmentofail  the  lights  of  the  Church  cannot  be  fear*d. 
But  if  all  preferment  tor  humane  learning  (hall  be  thus 
taken  away,  inthenext  Age  wee  are liker  Co  degenerate 
to  the  Barbarirmc  ofthe  Greckes  then  arivc  at  their  per- 
f^tlion.  The  fword  hath  for  a  fhtort  .i?^ace  kepti  fomc 
States  a  float ,  but  1  muft  boldly  fay  ,  tis  the  RrVerence  of 
Religion,  the  advancement  of  Icarnmg,  that  hath  made 

thcoi 


ithfitn  {Tabic  and  happy.  Thcfe  Confidcrations  arc  prb- 
pcrly  within  the  capacity  of  a  Gentleman  ;  But  in  the 
latter  parti  mu;^  ask  your  pardon ,  That  I  have  walk'd 

':bjyond  my  Verge;  TaKcnas  well  a  Divine  as  a  politique 
Survey  or  your  order.  I  know  it  is  an  Injurie  to  plead  a 
good  caufc  ill,  yet  I  hope  you  will  findc  my  Modcfty  fuch, 
that  in  this  I  prelume  Tolittle  of  my  felfc,  that  I  have  oncly 

;,kllo  wed  words  to  knit  together  the  opinions  of  Inch  Ak- 

-  thoriticsas  till  now  have  bccne  Authervtiquc.  '  Tis  a  time 
when  felfe-intercft  fvvayes rnuch,and  (for  ought Iknow) 
every  man  that  reads  this,  may  bs  eqmlly  concerned  as  my 
felfe ;  whereby,  this  muft  be  conceived  lefT:  partiall  from 
line,  then  from  any  of  your  Coat.  And  at  leaft  they  will 
inferrehcncc,  that macfe  more  might  befaid,  fincel  have 
fiidfoniuch.'  I  muft  confeflc  enough  hath  beene  delivered 
in  a  little  by  that  Reverend  Primate  V/her ;  7^»  AfofioU- 
call.  Which  admitted,  the  Conclufion  filences  all  argu- 
mentation. 

Contra  negantis  frinci^tn  mn  diffutandHm  ,  Docs  well 
in  Schooles ;  but  when  noyleand  novelty  oncly  prevaile,  I 
wifh  youhad  been  all  more  free  in  defence  of  your  Calling. 
*Tis  tt\i\.h,th^tDowmm,Bilfo»,Sucktljfg,  and  many  others, 
have  faidfo  much  ,as  there  can  fcarce  beany  thing  added, 
but  they  muft  have  new  Titles,  or  elfe  they  will  not  be 
look*d  dti,the  Fathers  themfelves  are  abfolete  and  deferted 
Authority.  Wee  are  all  growne  fo  wife  in  this  knowing 
Age,  that  every  man  muft  have  his  proofes  Icvel'd  to  his 
owne  natural  1  rcafon  :  unlclfe  they  be  invedjves;  thole 
tickle  the  itching  caret  of  the  time,  and  areprefently  taken 
upon  truft,  without  examination.  I  was  not  fram'd  to 
court  that  ftraine  ;  nor  doc  I  expcd  to  pleafe  your  op- 
pugners  ;  all  my  ambition  is  to  fatisfie  fome  Gentlemen 
free  as  my  felfe ;  my  Defire  is  not  to  offend  you,  by  the  ill 
mannagc  of  fo  good  a  Caufc. 

Though  I  know  none  by  any  of  you ,  yet  fliould  I  not 

*  2  fe-k 


(4) 

^ek  to  qualifie  the  ill  of  any  of  yrour  perfons.  But  maft 
profcflfelafFii^ionatcly  pray ,  for  the  Confervationof  thac 
order  which  is  lb  apt  an  Embleme  of  che  Divine  ordi- 
nance of  (hat  great  Creator;  who  a* bee  ordained,  the 
Sunne  to  exceed  the  Moone ,  The  Moone  the  Scarrei ,  and 
every  Starre  CTCcelling  another  in  glory,  DoubtlciTe  in* 
tended  ais  divine  a  Method  in  difpofing  the  lights  of  ouc 
immoittll  foules ,  as  thofc  Luminaries  of  our  corruptible 
bodies,  liec  I  hope  will  preferve  this  Church,  while  that 
Sunne  and  Moone  endure.  Which  is  che  prayer  of 


^heWU'TPtfher 
ofSion^ 


T.A. 


Smce  the  feyerall  attempts  to  ble- 

mijh  this  ^monjlrance  by  difperfing  that  Li- 
beU^  andhyjiehng  to  dramfome  ignorant  peo- 
fli  to  difcOfow  their  ownefiibfcriptions,  it  plea- 
Jed  divers  Ge?ttkmen  of  quality  to  tejlifie  both 
their  dijltke  of  juch  praBices ,  aiid  the  conti- 
nuance of  their  ;^ealetoayowi\\6x  Remon- 
ftrancr,    ^y  this  Certificate* 

To  our  very  loving  friend  and  Kinlrnan 
Sir  Thomas  Aston  Baronet, 

Ec  have  lately  received  a  Frintcd  Copie,  ofa 
moR  reditious,feigned,and  dangcrouOy  fadioiu 
Petition,  which  is  fprcadinthe  County,  pur- 
porting to  be  preferred  to  the  High  and  Ho- 
norable Court  of  Parliament,  by  the  Nobles,  Knight5,Gen- 
trie  ^  Miniftcrs,  &c.  of  this  County  ;  (pretended)  in  an- 
fwer  of  a  Petition ,  (abfcribcd  by  us  and  many  thoufands 
more,  and  by  our  requcft  preferred  by  you  for  the  good 
and  honour  of  this  County  •  which  vile  and  Machivi- 
lian  Petition ,  wc  perceive  was  never  preferred  to  neither 
Houfc ,  but  difpcrfcd  malicioufly  and  feditioufly  to  (lir ro- 
up difcord  and  tumult.  And  wee  have  alfo  fe^:  the 
Coppie  of  your  Petition  preferred  on  the  bchalfe,  and 
for  the  fervicc  of  this  County  for  whom  you  arc  tru- 
ftcdintfiis,  Which  wee  all  fo  well  approve  of ,  as  wee 

**■  doub^ 


doubt  not, but  that  as  well  thofe  many  thoufands  wlio  fub- 
(cribcd  our  RemonHmnce  preferred  by  you  ,(vvhich  found 
fo  gracious  acceptation  both  with  his  Sacred  Majcftie,  and 
the  Lords  t*>Vv  horn  it  was  pr?^tt<:d),a^,sil fij  many  thpu- 
faiVdJ^  more  t>^  rli^is  County^  \^-\\q{z  Hands  ccald.  rjotiy  TC?- 
.  fc>«bC[li(^n'k*HiItjftimifbegott<kv'^6'^  will  upon  juft 
oppornioit:y  acknowledge  your  good  fcrv ice  herein  for 
your  Country,  and  your  merit  from  the  Inhabitants  thereof 
who  ftand  well  aifcitcd^ either  to  his  Majcltie,  or  the  good 
or  peaceable  Government  of  this  Kin^dome,  And  there- 
fore  wee  have  not  onely  thought  fit  with  thelc  few  fub- 
fcribers  (wliom  the  fhortntfle  of  this  difpatch  could  di- 
vulge your  merits  unco)  to  teftific  your  great  Care  and  Di- 
ligence for  your  Country ,and  our  approbation  thereof,  but 
to  pray  you,notto  bedifcouragcd  herein;  But  ftil  to  preflc, 
as  there  fhallbt  opottuhity.&ncflfei^uall  order  and  anfwcr 
to  out  Renfonfirance ,  and  fomccourfc,  as  the  girc^  "'«ife- 
dome  of  the  Lords  aflcmblcd  /hall  think  meet,  to  check  the 
further  growth  of  thefc  Seditious  Infolences,  and  attempts 
to  cafl  afperfions  upon  our  Loyall  intentions,  and  difturb 
t^e  peace  of  our  Church  and  (late  Government :  wherein 
wee  have  alfo  addreffcd  our  thankfalncffeand  Humble  dc' 
fires  to  thcmoft  Honorable  EdrU  of  Bath,  which  we  fh'all 
belcech  you  the  rather  mor«  fpeedify  to  dclivcr,becaurc  here 
arc  daily  more  Innovations  by  the  importunity  of  the  Au- 
thors of  thcfe  Schifmes ,  and  fadionis ,  fo  that  mUch  \\\h 
to  be  feared ,  it  a  timely  prevention  be  not  given  to  the 
growth  thereof.  So  befceching  God  dircft  the  hearts  of 
that  moQ:  Honorable  Affcmbly,  wee  take  diir  leave  of  ydui 
and  rcll^  aiypur  faithfolneffe  and  care-  of  your  Countrey 
maythalengc, 

Your  ajfured  toy  ingpriends^. 


(V 

Robert  Lord  VtfcofititKilmorey.       ~^  Geer^e  Cotton 

Robert  Lord  Vtfcount  C^olmendelej  C  Hugh  Calveiej 

Sir  Edward  Fitton  Baronet,  r"  (^.  CManyvarinq 

Sir Tho^'Brereton  Knight,  j  Tho.  Cotton 


f^ugh  Cholmondeley 

fohn  MjnfhuS         i 

Tho.  Cholmondeley^  r  Eiq«ircs. 

John  davenport. 


Thomiu  Bromley 
Rand.  Rode 
WiUiam  Afanwaring 
Arahnr  Starksj- 

Tho.  LM4ifierfm 
Tho.  Afdiiffiaring 
€dw.  Tdnnat 
JohnlVerden 

Edward  LMorgell 
Tho,  BerringtoH 
Richard  Allen 
Tho^wUkinfon 
fohn  Dodde 
Tho.  Stockton 
Tho,  Ma^y 


Efquircs. 


Efquircs. 


►  Gentlemen, 


William  LMoreton 
fohn  Leghe 
^eorge  Leyctfler 
Jonathan  Wodenoth_ 


Erquircs, 


►Efqui'rcsc 


Tho.  Cotton 
Edvf,  Dcd 
Bdrv.  Wright 
geor.  'Bofiock^ 


►Efquires. 


Rtilph{Ji/[orgett~l 
hhn  Stockton    C-r^^    • 
Rich.Tannat    >E^q"»«-^»- 
JohnMajfy       ^ 

Divines. 
*I>onor  -Bifphant.  p 
fthn  Conney.  S 

Rieh.Wilfon.         \ 


•k-k 


S  E  C  t  ION^L 


Inthe  Apoftles  times. 


\^od  volmnm  fuc'ilc  credimm^  (  That 
wee  fo  eafily  beleeve  things  plea-* 
fing)  is  an  infirmity  of  nature  rather 
than  of  judgment ;  And  therefore 
it  may  be  thought  obftinacy  of  fpi- 
rit,  want  of  will,  rather  than  want  of  light^which 
makes  men  deny  the  Antiquity  of  Bifhops  in  the 
Primitive  times »  For  if  they  will  fearch  and  be- 
lieve either  Scripture  or  Antiquities,  theymuft 
.  confefTe  them  not  only  in  the  Primitive  timeSjbut 
in  the  times  of  the  Apoftles,  and  that  the  Apo- 
files  themfelves  were  BiJJwps. 

Saint  Ambrofe  writing  upon  Saint  Paul's  Epi- 

B  files 


2,  \Abritfe  ReYte^  o/'Epifcopacic. 

*\Amhfofmi  inSfifloi.  ftjes  to  the  Ephejiam  ^nd  Cormthf am  "^  fayesthae 
Eph. ,  n  iCor  u. i8.  ^p^a^^  n^^^f  Epifcopi.  That  the  Jposiles  were 
easai^ tern  qui  nunc  vo  B/fhops.  ,  Sair.t  Cjprim  °  layes,  the  LorachojeA^ 
cantur  e>popi  nam  p^jlf^s,  that  />,  h  fhops  arfdCovermurs.  Theodores 
Trheodtfain^Tim.  '  affirmcs,  fn  times  p aft  they  called  the  fame  men 
^  BuUingcrin  Phi'ip  x.  presbyfcrs  a/2d  Bifhops,  atjd  thofe  who  now  are  cal" 
K1;*,JS;  WBi(hops%«W.^?*/?/«,  withwhoma. 
^  Hic-on.'ad  Maneli:  gr^es  Bullmger:,  '^  Epaphrod^tui  (whom  Paul cslls 
adverfm  Mortar ,  fallow  -workcr j  wo^  4  Bifhop,  Saint  leromes  '^  opi- 
dkimem  4p»l'oiorunr.  nioti  was  that  in  the  true  Church,  Btjbops  doe  hold 
totsmundomamfeiiam^  thepltc€  of  the  Apojlles.  And  IreriAus  (^ )  af- 
f;„"t;r/rS  firmcs,  that  tie  Afofila  UfnheB,ll,ofs,he,rSuc- 
h^itiitifmtEpfcopiin  cejfors.  Beltverj/ig  unto  them  their  own^ place  of 
Ecc/cfiis&  iHcceifores  c,overnmevt  :  which  they  hold  even  to  our  dayes^ 
mum  nfque^  nos.  -^yj^gj^^^  (^^^^  of  ^)^q  Fathers  doe  Rhetorically 
F(ie>  unto  scdefta  .-ipo  Call  the  Apoftlcs  the  Fathers,  Bijbops  the  fonnes  of 
jioii?at,es  tui,  quh  the Chiirch.  S,x\K\\S2^m\.Bierome,^infleadof  Fa- 
fum^iT'mn-  tt^<^rs  Children- are  borne  unto  thee,  S  Church -,  the 
eeffmir,tamundoJiabcs  Apofilcs  were  thy  fathers,  for  they  begafe  thee  •,  New 
pohM,  Epifcopo.fiim  ^^^^  hall  Bijlms  who  were  borne  of  thee.  Saint  ^«- 
St.  Au^h  Piai  44  po  jtm  on  the  lame  place  laies.  Injteaaofthe  Apojtles 
patribM  Ttati  tibif.fit  fonms  oTc  hometothce,  hl(hoY>s  are  ordained, 
/Jt.HielZyVuVKcp.  The  rcafon  of  which  inftitution  S\Hierome 
ad  Titum:  .4.itcquam.  givcs,  and  derivcs  the  time  even  from  the  Apo- 
'pMinftfultudia  ^j^j,  themfelves  as  foone  as  the  Church  be^m  to 
dhcreturinpopHfii.ego  [preadit  felje,  ( Aj^tequam  Diaboli)  laieshe,  tjllby 
fum  i^aui',  ego  Aroiio,  ^,^^  mlUnB  ofthe  devillfoBions  began  in  the  Church 
Tuni'\mi.jteror'^m  df^dthe pcopk  faid, ! amofPaul^  /tf/ Apollo,  and 
cmfiiio  Ecc^efi^  f^uber-  I  of  Cephas,  the  church  was  governed  bj  a  common 

nantur,  po^qiiam  ztro 

unufquifq\eos,fiuos  Baptir^averat  fiioi  patabat  effeh  iotoorbedecretumeJi,  ut  unrndepreiby- 
terii  ek^m  fuperponereiw  (AUm  ad  qucm  »mm  SiQUfta  cnrapertimnt,  &  Schifmatum 
fmina,Mcrenui)\.  Com  fill 


lA  hriefe \eyiey0  of  Epifcopacie,  .5 

.  Connfell  of  Preshyters  f  which  was  in  the  time  of 
the  Apoftles : )  i  Cerimh,  i .  1 2 .)  But  when  evvry 
one  accotmtedthofe  for  his  rvhom  he  had  Baptz^ed,  it 
rvas  decreed  in  the  whole  worlds  that  one  being  cho- 
fen  from  the  Presbyters  (jwuld  bee  fet  over  the  reft 
■  in  cvxry  Church  tmto  whom  the  care  of  that  Church 
or  Diocefe  jhould  affertaine^  and  that  the  feeds  of 
Schifmes  migln  be  taken  away.  Which fupcrior  by 
the  learned  Chamier  ^  wee  finde  was  called  Bi-  h  chami«r.  de  mm. 
iliop.  One  (fayes  he)  jv^  chofen  out  of  the  company  vomi^ccl.iox,^.  sea. 
of  Presbyters'|>^<'  was  chiefcf  aUtkreft  andw^  Ltcfe^i^fS 

called  Biflwf.  fr'mme^et,  &Elfi/(9' 

Such  we  find  was  Timothie  inftituted  by  Saint  y^  dkerem, 
Paul-^  To  whom  hee  dire<5ts  his  Epiftle.  •  i'^^^^'/ ixhe  direaionofthc 
unto  Timotheus  ordained  the  frft  Bilhop  of  the  BfiMctoj  imothy, 
church  of  the  Ephefians. 

This  fome  or  our  No^vellifts  except  at,  and  will 
not  allow  it  to  be  Authenticke  becaufe  fay  they,  ^,    ,   , .    ^• 
It  IS  not  in  foxne  old  Manufcnpts  they  have  fcene.  Chryfopm  iftrTira.j. 
But  Theodoret  and  Chryfoflome  agree  that  hee  was 
Sijhop  of  the  ACians  whoje  Metropolis  was  Ephefus, 

Saint  Flierome  in  his  Catalogue  of  Ecclefiafti- 
call  Writers  teftifies  that  Timothie  was  ordained  of  ^'^^^mmsm  Catalog, 
hlejfed  Paul  the  Bijhop  of  the  Ephefians,  and  that  \'^¥«'^^'^i^^rm. 

Titus  was  Bifhopo/^  Creet,  Ambr.  in  EpheCcap.  4. 

Saint  Ambrofe  faith  the  Apoftle,called  Timothy  f ^^^f  ^^T^^ti/T- 
Bifhop,  whom  hee  created  Presbyter  becaufe  the  mrpreibytti  %if(tpi 
prime  Presbyters  vJtve  Bipjops.  apptUtbamur. 

Primafm  faith  Timothy  was  a  BiOiop ,  and  f^j^f '^  /"■'^'-  •« 
V  AVi'LS  Difciple.     Among  ft  the  Ancients  arc 
karce  any  that  might  not  be  brought  to  prove  it . 

B  2  And 


5  lA  hritfe  ReVie*^  of  Epifcopacic; 

i£v^/J«wTom;^.fol.  And  of  the  later  Writers  Erajmm  ^(mofe 
^timr.  vauimin  learned  than  all  thefc  Cavillers)  tcls  iis,ThatP4«/. 
mmperiumadeptarut,  adopt ca  Timomy  mto  the  MmiHerj  Andwjtituted. 

Bi^quo^lmlmcEcele-  ljj^j^f}j^  ft^fj^jf^Qf  ^;^jj}jQp^. 

fuut  &  ri.o/mnnuit  Ltkewifc  Saint  Paul  direas  his  Epiltle 
cumin  fm£i'mitpfco-  to  Tit  m^  or  da jncd  the  frfi  Bifhop  of  the  Church 
^''^^'  of  the  Cretians  from  NicopoUs  of  Macedonia :  A- 

gainft  whidi  is  the  fame  exception  as  againft  that 
nohry[ofiom,tn.,c^^.  o( Tmothy.  .  -^xxiSiint ChryfoHorne-^  fayes,  To, 
a^Titum.PAHiitiTito  Titus  WO'S  committed  the  judgement  of  many  Bi~ 
Piuitorum  spifioponm  A^^^  y^^^ ^[^j^j^ pj^^^ Lyra'' and  Era&m^  both 

'\udiciumcommfit-        -*    ^    ,     f    ^.i    ,  «-•:  '       .  j      ^     i    ^  n        r 

'^lyramArgumefitad  conclude^That  Titpts wos Created K^rch-Bifhop of 

Titum.Sraftnui  ineun-  Crcete. 

Ste .  rum  MU.        But  if  ^  thefe  ftites  to  the  EPISTLE 

pifeopm  Ocu  confe-  were  adniitted  no  part  of   the  Text  •,     yet, 

'^T^^'  h  I  ^^^^  ^^  ^"^^  enough.  Saint  Paul  Writes  to  them 

TitiTi!/  ^'^'         both  to  continue  or  abide  ft  ill  m  JSPHESUS 

and  CREETEj  inftru6iing  them  what  indoW" 

ments  are  fit  for  a  Bifhop:  If  any  man  de fire  the 

office  of  a  Bishop  he  defireth  a  good  tvorkc' 

MTimothy  s.  i.  ■     o^  Bifliop  muft  bee  blamelefle,  c^r.  Giving 

power  to  inftitute  Bifliops,  otherwife  had  fuch 

t  Titus  li  I,  f .  Charaders  beene  ufeleffe,  if  they  had  no  power 

lpi&rL!r'i-  of  Inftirution:  which  the  Apoftle  clearely  de- 

gumntum.utfinfcopot  termines  in  that  to  T  i  t  u  s,  ^  Forthls  caufeleft 

'"^^71'  \-  ^  ^^^^  ^^  Greet  e,  that  thou  jhouldft  fet  in  order  the 

T.pmctoTitm^Ujco  th/ngs  that  are  wanting,  and ordaine  Elders  in  every 

E'  tonflHuerc per civi-  Citie. 

;:;"£tS^fS;  Vpon  which  words  %es  S:iinl  Ciryfiflm,, 
qmmadrKodum  alias  fi.-  i^^y^  ts  to  he  under  shod  BISHOPS,  ^  as  I  have 
prmdismm.  .        otherwhere  formerly /aid.    And  Erafmus  ob^ 

fei-ves . 


A  hriefe  Keyie'w  ^T  Epifcopacie.  r 

■ferves,  *■  That  Paul  requires  Titus  to  come  to  Nico-  '^r^mui  Xcm  6.  TjI. 
polis.lf  tft  not  till  he  had  Cent  Anemas  or  Tvchicus,  T*'  '^'f™V'^^^  ^»' 

^     ri     J     r^      '  ■    I     r-  r  r       ^'i'^  f^dicxKmn'Nit.e- 

lem  the  Crctnns  might  jecwe  to  want  the  comfori  pom,  fed  )uiui  qnod 

of  A  Bijhopi  ..     P^-'*^-^    AftiMam    ant 

Though  thefc  Texts  with  thefcexpofido.is  ^'^li":!,;:!!*^: 
are  plaine  enough,  yet  {om^j mllh^KQ dcrWc a  '^■'('^{^rEpifcopijoi.u:^ 
warrant  for  Elderg,  none  for  I3iniops.  'c.i/iwi^f7j/;//; .-hb.^, 

Bui  Cahifi  '"himfelfeconfefTeSjThat/Z'f  5i,T/-  ^ubi:^s  ago  docendi 
ft  are  doth  promifcuojly  ufe  the  words ,  Bi/liops,  Pref-  *"'***  i'i]n»aum  erat, 
byters, Paftors, rfWMinifters, to  fignifie thofe ivho  pZsbpclZ^TTm'^jTi 
doe  eyercife  the  Mirtiftery  of  the'4'Grd,  And  fay es,  *'8-^  ucfiatu  vetcm 
the  Presbjters  mentioned  Tittis  1.5.  are  .by  the  ^Hieron\me  in 
Context  manifefted  to  bee  no  other  but  Dod;ors  i^uagnuJ: 
or  Teachers,  becaufe  Saint  rani  prefcntly  after  ^^-'"'M/Z'^e  cgmpro- 
calkth  them  Biftops.  f^.'^'.^jl'".*'^- 

Which  Saint  ///^^<7;;;^  'approves,  faying,  It  ^^odautcmpoitnunui 
is  vwH  manifeft  that  Bifhop  and  Presbyter  were  all  ^Ifl^  ^^'  qmctt^rU 
me,  am  to  avojabcmimcsthat  the  Church  mt^ht  nuturemedhmfiSlutn 
not  hee  broke ^  thePrcshytc^salivayeschofeone^a/id  ^^'  ,  ,  .  . 
placed  him  in  a  Degree,  above  the^  reH£alling  himBl-  ex  ^^fe'elaiH^il  Txm- 

HlOp .  fio-i  g'-adu  coUecatum^ 

Calvin  "  writing  of  the  State  of  the  Ancient  Sf  f-?  ^^"mnab^nt. 
Cnurc-h  layes,  That  the  Presbyters  ever choje one  riscicf^eTomjSolxis. 
out  of  their  number  in  ever)  City ^  to  whom  fpecially  ^^^exfuonumcrohfin' 
,ky  g.ivethetnkofaB,lhof,tlMtthire  jhouldmt  ^.^^fr^S 
arife  difcord  out  of  equalitie,  B(za,  w  (no  .friend  £p:icopi,&c, 
to  the  Biiliops  yet)  acknowledges  upon  that  place  Z^fJf'*'^-'^  ^^'^"i^ 
C  Againjt  an  Eider  receive  not  an  accujation  but  be-  prcshytem  turn  rjke 
fore  two  or  three  witneffes)  That  Timothy  wa^at  ^itipuem.Bczia/ine' 
that  timr  Antilles,  the  Prelate  or  Prefident  in  the  ''^''  *"  » ^im  5, 
Pr/z^ji^r/V  4/ Ephefus. 

B  ^  .  Sa^> 


■  IS  A  hriefe  Relation  of  Epi fcopacic i 

So  here  the  exceptions  taken  againft  thefepo- 
fitive  places  of  Scripture,  are  at  the  different  in- 
terpretations of  the  words^  Presbyters,  Bifliops, 
or  Prefidents,  all  Interpreters  both  ancient  and 
moderne  acknowledging  a  fuperiority.  Where- 
^Zitichy  To.u.  7.  fol.  "P^"  Zdnchee  "  well  determines  all  thefefcru- 
583.  ^ks.Saycs  hc^m the. ProteJlamChurcf'^es^rvee  have 

SLli"Sf£  '»  ^i/^^^^^^Bifliops  WArch-Bifcops,  «>hMby 
fuiti  riipftt  epifcopi  &  changing  good  Greeke  names  into  ill  Ldtinc  are  CAlUd 
Archi'Epfcepi.  ^os  fuperintendcnt  ;  and  where  they  have  neither  of 
minibuimmaULatlnss'^M^  names,  'jet  there  are  alwa^es  \ome chief e^votth 
vocatfuperinte^dentcs,  whom  is  almoft  all  the  Authoritie.  If  then  the  mat-^ 
SccFerum  cumdercbui  ^    ^  ^^  r         1  j   ^^  brabble  about  names  ? 

MbmaUmamnr?  But  imce  there  is  matter  or  Argmnent  to  bee 

pick'd  out  of  the  Text,  wee  muft  examine  how 
the  pra<5i:ice  was  in  the  next  age  to  the  Apoftles  ^ 
whether  then  there  was  that  parity  of  Minifters, 
fuch  fanatiques  dreame  of. 


Section  2. 
Thg  fey  en  Angels^  '^ere'je'lom  ^ifhops. 

C  Aint  /(j^;/ the  Divine,  who  writes  To  the  feven 
^churches  in  Afia,  tells  vs  the  feven  Starresare 
the  Angels  of  the  feven  Churches .  ■  Which  by  the 
phrafe  of  his  writing  fdefcribing  their  paines  and 
their  paffions)  appeare  to  be  men.  To  the  An- 
gcll  of  Bfhefus^  I  know  thy  workes,  thy  labour  and 

thy 


<Rerdation  1.4. 
»0. 


A»  2. 


A  hriefe  Relation  of  V^iko^TiQit.  j 

thy  fdtieme,thoit hafil abound ajidhafi  famtcdtRC" 

member  and  npent,  3. 

To  the  AiigcU  of  the  Church  mSm-^rmyl 
linow  thy  trihulatio^i  and fovertie,  Tothe.Angell 
of  the  Church  InPergamos,  Thou  holdefi  faf  my 
ftame,andhaJlnot  deny  ed  my  faith.  ^l 

To  the  Angell  of  the  Church  mfhyatira,  ip[ 

lknQVi^thfCharit^,fervic€j  Faith  andpsiepc^* 
• .     To  the  Angell  of  Saydls^  ^  Bee.rvatchfiill,fpr  I  '  ReveJ.  5.1. 
have  not  found  thy  works  perfe0. 

To  the  Angell  of  Philadelphia.    ^  Thoti  haft  {>  8. 

4  tittk  ftrength^  and h/ift  not  denyedwy  word, 

Tq  the  Angell  of  the  Ch"f  ch  cJ  the  Laodi- 
oeanSy  '^  Becaufe  thou  art  Luke-war  me  and  neither  c  j^. 

hot  nor  c^ld,  I  will  fpem  thee  out  ^f  my  mouth,  \6, 

And  that  they  were  the  Paftors  of  the  Chur- 
c]fl0$  is  coik<$bed  put  of  thelaftof  the  Revdation, 
^  And  I  lefi^^^ave  fentmir^e  4i^gelftQ  teftifiem'  ^  ^i»i6i 

to  you  thefe  things  in  the  ChurEhc^,  ,  .Of  vsfhijdi 
Saint  Ambrofe  fayes,  *=  WemuftunderftanlitHe  ^Ambnfm  h  ^poca- 
feven  Angels,  to  befeven  Governpurspi  the  fcv^p  df  j. 
churches.  -  .•  .^      ^    ,-.v. 

Beza  tells  ^  mj?y  each  of  thefe  Af^g^ls  -^e  Ufjdpcr  ^  bc\^  in  Afocaiypi,  z.  n 
ftands  the  Prefdent  rf  the  Vx^shyxoiy :  Reynold^ 
fayes,  the  name  Bifhops  was  given  to  thcAnge^ls^  <t5 
MiniUers  to  Preshjters.    Of  which  Angels,  Poly^ 
carp  »v.^  Bifliop  of  Smyrna,^  s  Who  as  Tren^if  EEu/eymL^.cAp.is, 
afifirmes,  was  taught  and  cpnftituted  Bijhophy/  ^bf  ^''^"'"^  •  ^'  <*  "p*  3* 
Apoftles.     And  BullingerX  noics^  i^idX.  Polycar-  yBuliifi.hApeccen,^. 
pU'S  had  beene  Bifliop  of  Smyrna^  thirieene  yeare^ 
before  the  Revelation  wai  given,  and  fo  continued 

many 


8  'A  hriefeReyle'90  of  Epi  fcopacic^ 

■jgnithis  In  Epifi.  ad  ^^j^}^  ycitrfs  ,ifler:  Tgfiatm  "^  who  lived  in  that  time 
^''^"^''   "^  mentions  Omfmu^s  Bifnop  of  the  Bphefians. 

Hkrmmui  c^ta^  t  ^^^  ///V^^^^*?  Ukcwife  rccitcs  many  more  Bi^. 
scy'ipt.  Sufeb,  Hift.  p)ops  to  havG  bccnc  in  the  rime  of  the  Apoftks* 
Jib. I.  cap .  T.  j^Q  GOnfc{reth,That  Idmes  the  iuft  fhortlie after  the 

faff  ion  of  Chrtjl  was  made  Bifliop  of  Temfalem,  In 
which  Catalogue  he  fets  forth,  That  Smon  fuc* 
cesded  lames-  in  that  Bijloppricke ;  T^4f  Timothy 
ivas'  Bijlwp  of  Ephefus,  'Titus  of  Cf eete  r  •  t^nd 
that  Poly  carpus  n^as  Billiop<?/ Smyrna  /^Sainc 
lohnstime. 

So  that  by  the  fev en  Angels  being  intended 
tht'  feven  Rulers,  Governours,  or  Prefidents  of 
feven  Churches,  muft  Ex  confequenti  bee  under- 
flood  the  Bijhops  of  thofe  Churches  who  lived  in 
that  time..  Which  receives  fome  confirmation, 
in  that  the  Bifliops  of  the  fame  feven  Churches 
continued  their  Sees,  and  fubfcribed  to  fomfe  of 
the  firft  Councells.  As  to  the  Councell  of  Nice, 
Menophantes  "biihop  of  Ephejus  ^  Eutjchus  of 
Smyrna,  Serras  oi  Thyatir^  Artemidortis  of  Sar-* 
«f/>,  Thomajion  of  Philadelphia,  Nunechim  of  Lag- 
dicea  •  And  in  the  Councdl  of  Calcedon,Eutropi- 
Mf  of  P^r^4w;«y,  with  all  the  reft. 

Nor  was  there  a skippe  or  vacancie  fromthc 
Apoftles  times  to  the  Councells  without  them  : 
but  we  finde,  notwithftanding  the  great  perfecu- 
tions  of  thofe  times,  that  they  were  not  onely 
the  immediate,  but  in  many  places  the  continued 
Xuccefforsof  the  ApoOles. 

•     ■'     .  "Sea. 


uA  bneje  \eyte'SKf  of  Epifcopacie.  J 

-  — ■ ,  ^/- „. 

Scif^ion  3. 

TAtf  continued  Jucc,efm  of^ijhops] 

T^Ufehim  '^faycs.  To  Ltmes  the  brother  of  our  'Eitfebiiu'.mflff^inh: 
'•^Lord  furnamcd  the  juft,  the  Throne  of  the  afapi<^»3»'-3-c7«* 
Biflioprickc  of  the  Church  of  Hierufalemwas  ^T^^'^M-c-^i^-^^^r 
firft  committed :  And  in  his  Hiflory  and  Chro-  Chryfofiom,  in  a^.  & 
nicle  fets  forth  a  continued  fucceflion  oT  the  ^/-  w^»'*'?s>33' 
(hops  of  Bkrufalem  from  lames  to  Macmu^,  whom 
.  he  noteth  to  have  beene  the  5^.  Bifhop  of  lerufa- 
lem. 

Saint  L/f;??^r^j9  relates,  that  P4/^/ /irw James  Ambrbf',  ht.i^^\{i, 
(the  LORDS  brother  )  at  lerufalcm  being  made  adGafat^, 
B/Jhop  of  that  place  by  the  Jpojlks, 

St.  Hierome  ^  mentions,that  at  Alexandria  ever  ^ijam  &  Alexandria  a. 

■fince  Marke  the  Evangelift  untill  the  Bifhops  Hera-  ^'^rco  Evangetiftaufft 

^clas  andDionjfim,  the  Presbyters  have  alway?! called  t^l^^;'^'^:^: 

one',,  being  chofenofthemfelveSjdndplacedhimina  teri  Cemper  ummcxfc 

hi<iher  decree,  Bilhop,  even  .4S  an  Arm^  chufeth  her  ^I'f/^jp^xcei/imp'aciii 

A  r    •   '^       A     J    f        4    •  r         J   tr  r  (oUocatum     gpifcopum 

chef t awe. ^   And  lu^tAmanm  jticceededhtm,  af-  nominabant,qumodoft 
ter  whom  here  k^ biliu^  and Cerdo  in  the  Apodks  ^xercim  imperatorem 

■  *•  facial f  Hieronymus  ad 

time.  /.  y         •    1  ■  r        r   ^'^^i^"*f'*'  h'kcpboyi^ 

And  Bufebim  and  ^^^r4/^j  reckon  24.  fuccef- 1.14.39-  ' 

-  five  Millops  of  Alexandria  before  the  Connfell  of  p^^7^'«w  '»  ^^f^*: 

^^ce.  •  ^         .   Socrati  lib.i.cj.     " 

The  fuccefTion  of  the  Bifliopsat  Antiochhc-       , 
^an  in  the  Apoftles  time :  Saint /^r^?;?;?^  counts  z^- 
-'-  C  natim 


"lo  A  briefi  ReV(e')^>  of  EipiCcop^cic^ 

.„.,..   mtlfff  the  third  Bifhop  from  Peter,  As  Bnfehim 
lutam .  hath  It,  Euoaim  fucceeded  Peter,  ana  then  JgnatiHs, , 

ii;4atm  ad  srr.yrn :  whom  Saint  B'mom  mentions  to  have  lived  in  our 
^;r:";;i:"S:  SaWours  time  reeking  his  owne  words  /ii. 
&quan(iovc}i'Hac(Pe-  Chrifi  in  the  flejh  after  hts  Refiirrection  when  hee 
trum  &  ad  SOS  qui  cm  ^^^^  fg  p^f^y  andthoCe  thnt  rvere  rvith  him^  and  fnid^ 

Sufeb.  lib.7.  c.  ai .        handle  mee  and  fee  me : '  Bufcbms  reckons  20.  fuc- 
ceflfive  Sijbop  of  that  See  iTjhis  time,   Theoderet 
and  fome  others  reckon  in  all  28.  before  the  great- 
Counceli  of  Nice,  Anno  3*2  0. 

At  Ephefus  appearcs  alfo  a  continued  fuccef- 
fion,  not  only  in  the  Apoftles  time  of  Timothy,., 
<£ufeblmi  y.  c.aj.  ad  Oncfir/im,  and  Poljcrates.  But  that  '^fr&m  Ttmothy 
^^*^'^°'  to  the  Counceli  of  Chalcedony  there  was  a  continued ' 

fiiccejfion  of  Bijho^s.  For  Stefhanui  the  Bifhop  of 
Efhefus  being  dcpofed^  quefiion  arifing  whether  the 
new  Bij1)0p  who  was  to  fucceed,  were  to  hee  c  ho  fen  by 
the  Conn  fell,  or  by  the  Synod  of  Jfia.  Leontimihe. 
*  Concii :  Cl^alcedon :  ^ijhop  ffMagnefia  '^  in  the  Province  of  Afa  alleadg- 
h^.  II.  ed,  that  from  Ttmothy  to' that  time  there  had  heene 

flf/^r  f.1Sm«I  i^vcmQkwer\Bi/hops  of  ephefus  all  ordeyned 
{yrs  foi.H^  there. 

i  innam  lib.  3  c.?.  p^i  ^Qyy^Q  the  firfl  Were  Peter  and  Paul  both  Bi- 

^inmuh^X  "p.3.  ^"^^P"^  ^"^  Apoftles,  and  about  Anno  56.  Peter 
jmdAHHi  igitny  bcat'i  and  Paul  ordained  Linus  Bijhop  of  Rome  ^whopt 
jpojionEcckJim  Lmo  j.^ackttis  fucceeded,  and  after  him  Clemens  •  This 
fiiccedtt  eUtt.tciem,p&fl  Clemens  who  was  third  lucceflivc  Bilhop,  Irenaus 
cum  tertio  loco  nb  Apo-  relate?  to  have  lived  in  the  Apo files  times  and  con- 
{:kmmfqT&Jdinp^-  ^'^erfcd  with  them  5  after  him  fucceeded  Euarifius, 
foi  ApeHohi  &cantulit  Sixttts,  Telefphorus^  Higinus,  Pius,  Anicetus,  S^ter, 
m  Maiiyrs '  folio?  ^^^  Eleutherius,  who  was  the  12*.  fuccclTiYe  Bi- 
^^*   '     ftopofi2f»w.  "~  .  This 


This  Blemheritts  fcnt  over  Fugacius  and  D/^  -f.E^i/ 

fnUms  to  Lucitts  King  of  Britaine,  that  converted  fS#  SV^J^'ji' 
this  Ifle,  and  inftituted  Bifliops  here,  who  have 
continued  ever  fince.  Thefe  few  may  be  enough 
to  prove  a  continued  fucceflion,  though  as  much 
might  bee  done  for  moft  of  the  Ancient  Chur- 
ches, of  which  fayes  Irenms,  agnitio  vera  eftAp-  .^^^^^^  i^^^^6^\ 
jlolornm  DoBr'iMy  &  Antiqtms  EC€leftdJiatus ia 
tmiverfo  mundo  fecurfdum  fuccejiiones  Efifieporiint^ 
qmhiis  illi  €itm,ciUA  in  tmoquoj^  loco  efl,Eccieftam  tka^ 
didcrunt.  - 

Bet  the  great  perfecutions  of  thofe  times 
confidered,  it  is  an  evidence  of  the  great  mercy 
of  G  o  D  to  preferve  that  order ,  that  there 
was  any  one  vifible  fucceffion  in  any  one  church. 

Yet  had  they  beene  extin(5t,   Szint  Werome  n'monymm  adznagn 
fayes  of  them  in  gcnerall.  That  all  Bijhops  are  the 
fucceffors  of  the  Jpoftles :  Saint  Cyprian,  Bijhops  Cy^rmMo-.^^^^i^ip 
are  the  fuccejfors  of  the  Apofiles,   and  that  they  an- 
frver  to  the  HighPriefi  in  the  Law,     So  teft  ifie  Ire-  jnnttui  ia^9.ii  \,%  e. ?; 
rf£us  ^ndTertffllian,That as Smyrria had Polycarpe  ^os  ab  ApopHsine* 
fromSimUhn,  zrA Rome Clemmhthe .ffoim-  ^P2";»S«r 
mer^  of  Peter 'j  So  the  reB  of  the  Churches  can  peyv  ushabtm, 
fuch  as  were  ordained  Bijhops  hy  the  JpoHles  and  ^'/^^^i  jf/^l'^fcfi 
have  derived  the  fame  Jpojlolicali fucceffion  to  them, 
with  which  agrees  Irenms  in  that :  faith  he^tv^  can 
reckon  thofe  which  were  ordained  Bifhops  in  the 
churches  by  the  Apoflles  altd  their  fucceffors jeven  to 
^ffr  age,  and  have  derived  the  fame  Apoftolicall  J^^««,J^Jr««  ^«« 
fucceflion  to  them.  «a  Apefi0iu hftitutiftm 

If  the  Ancients  give  all  this  unanfwerable.  £Jf^fi^^^¥]^¥i 
C  2  Tcflimo- 


jt  [A  briefe  Reyie'90  of  Epifcopacic' 

Teftimony  of  them  ♦,  It  is  by  thefe  and  many 
more  that  might  be  given  undeniable,  but  that 
they  were  inthetimeof  the'Apoftks^inftirmed 
by  the  Apoftles,  and  continued  ever  fince^ ,  Nor. 
can  any  man  that,  will  acknowledge  Truth,  Hi- 
ftory,  or  Fathers,  deny  it. 
r^  *  -hty  g/:  Mailer  C/?r/n?r/^^/^  was  hard  put  to  it  when  he 
urmimit.^^$69.  ^^^j^  ^^.  deny  but  that.Sainti\/^r/'^  was  inftitu. 

ted  Bifkof  of  Alexandria :  -Yet  (fayes  he)  from 
thejir^  day  when  M  device  was  efiablifhed,.corrtif^ 
tion  grew  in  the  Chf^sh,  and  that  the  frji  refi fiance 
hy  any  fit  led  Church  againjl  that  corruption , 
ivas  by  thofe  that  ahoUfhed that  device  of  man,  and 
received  the  order  of  the  Apofiles  touching  the  equa-^ 
litieof  Minifters,  as  f^^  Bohemians,  thofe  of  Qct-^ 
ma-nieW  Geneva. 

So  here  is  a  cleere  Confeffion  that  for  fifteene 
•  *  hundred  and  odde  y^ares  after  C^r//?,  the  order 

of  JEjfifcopacie,  was  never  queftioned,  nor  paii- 
tieof  Minifters  fet  a  foote  by.any  Church. 

,     .  ^5  ext  i  fhall  fhe  w  ihe  Authorities. 


Sea. 


A  hriefi  Reyiey0  ^  iEpifcopaciei  i  j 


Section  4, 
That'  the^'fpere-J^iocefan  ^i/lop. 

TTIs  teange  to  fee  what vveake Fancies  delude  . 

■*the  obft'inate,  fiich  as  are  fcnceleffe^  againft  the 

Antiquity  of  Bifliops,  and  beconne  reconciled  to 

the  name  Bifliop,  yet  thep  fay  they,  they  were  but 

B'ijhops  ofParipjeSj  every  Paftor  being  Eifhop  of  ^•^'  i-J-P*^'** 

hi^  Congregation  5  and  nor  Diocefan  BiOiops,  -    .  ,  t  .  -^ 

whereas  wee  muft  neceffarily  obferve  the  cleane 

contrary,  for  there  were  Diocefife  before  there 

werePanfhes.  .  f(  v-v:;;^^ 

.There  were  no  parifhes  till  567.  yifaresaEer  Anrw^,,T|o;i|je^&(v«fyfl 
Chrift,  as  one  of  their  owneftrainecoUecfts  out  PcdtlonYoi /lo.  p<;/ir.^ 
ox  Tvlyaore  VtrgiL,  bm  the  Chrtfts an  meetings  mr^,  I,  ** 
in  Holes  or  Caves  mder  z^otwd  rather  tti'enin^em- 


4.  c.?. 


(.ri'-vi/T 


-pies w-ptibhke places:  ••  .  . 

s  .    Yet  wee  niuil  beleeye  .  Chniijani^tj^^  y^^ 

more  {ireight;ned  th^  indeed  ft  was,  '.it  .wemi'rit 

^ome,  or  Hierufalemy  or  lytniiochy  ot  Mexantjria^ 

or  Bfhifk^  being  fo  great  Cities  V  had  t^uV  one 

particular  Congregation  of  Chriftians»"for we^  -r^fl-^t'^ 

WQVtt  finde  mentioh  of  any  more  but-ojfie'Blfhop 

in  any  of  thefe,  nor  was  a  Bifhops  See  confined 

only  to  a  Cittie,  but  fayes  Cahm,  writing  of  th^  ^^^^'^'^^  ^4fffit  tU-^' 

Ancient  Sute  of  the  Church  be'fcfrethePapacie;  '*'^'^'-'° 


^14  ^  briefe  Review  hf  Epifcopacfe!! 

Vmemq^dvitatleraiat-  j-^  ^^^yy  c'/>^/>  was  attributed  a  certa'me Regm9r 
^relbyum^^^^^^  Country,  rvhichfrorrt  thence  flwuld  receive  their  Pref- 

tire.  hyterSy  and  be  reckoned^  at  being  of  the  body  of  thai 

church,  4 

So  though  thefc  DioccjPfcs,  were  not  then  di- 
vided into  Parifhes^  yet  the  Cittie  and  Coun- 
trey  adjacent  made  a  Competent  DiocefTe. . 
Moulini  Buckler    of      Moulin  obferves^that  it  rvas  hard  in  all  Jntiquity 
ftijh  14^-  '  to  find  examples  of  two  jBiJhops  in  one  Town, for  gene* 

rail  CuJtome  was  againfi  it.  As  Theodoret,  Chryfo' 
ftome,  and  Bierome  upon  the  firft  Chapter  to  the 
Fhilippians  witnefle,  and  Jugnl^line inhls  iio, 
Epiftle. 
tib;3iEpitt.i.Lib  ij.4.  Saint  Cyprian  teaches  that  in  one  Church  (m^- 
^^P'^'**  ning  one  DiocefTe)  there  mujl  be  but  one  Bijhop,and 

that  to  fet  up  a  fecondwere  to  make  a  Schifmc,  and 
to  rend  in  peeces  the  body  of  Chrift.     Which  is  ful- 
^tttJkiYaiibHiMlm-  j^r  explained  by  Beza,  teftifying  thzx.  Anciently 
"*^^*  the  Churches  were  Diocejfes^  and  that  in  their  cfiieft 

Towne  of  every  Diocese,  the  firft  Presbyter,  who  af 
terwards  began  to  be  called  Bifhop  (which  hath  been 
proved  to  bein'theApoftlestimes^  wa^  fet  over  ' 
his  fellow  Presbyters  t,  \^nd  if  the  Country  was  of 
larger  extent,  then  that  all  upon  every  occafion  could 
nteete  in  the  Citie,  they  hadalfo  Chorepifcopi,  that 
iah'mlnJiltHtil4,c-4*  U^Countrey,  orVice-Bifhops,  Calvin\iVtvAictt9ii' 
§<ft.  i»  fies  the  {ame.     If  the  Bifhopricke  were  larger  then 

he  cotdd  difcharge^  all  the  of  fees  of  a  Bifhop  in  every 
place,  Rurall'&i^o^swere  fuhflittttedto  fupplie  his 
place:  (which  I  conceive  to  differ  but  little  from 
•  our  RurallDcancs,  or  Arch-Deacons;  Butarefo 

farrc 


J  brief  e  R  tyiew  of  Epif  copacic.  j  ^ 

farre  from  giving  colour  fortwoBiiliopsinone 
DioceiTe,  that  it  was  held  a  Schifme  fit  to  be  re- 
pented of,  that  Novation  a  fecondB\(ho\>rvas  or- 
dainedat  RomCymd  fomeoftheCleAr7ien}hohiidaf'  ^    -,  y,  ,.  , 
jertted  to  it  moved  with  Repentance j    and  returning  cj^y :  I.3 .  ep.  u . 
from  Schifme  unto  the  Church  confejfed  their  error, 
Nos  crrorem  noftrum  confitennur,  ^c .  So  care- 
full  were  the  Ancients  of  preferving  the  honor 
and  degree  of  Bifhops  in  the  extent  of  their  Dio- 
cefTe*,  That  at  the  Counfell  at  ^'W/^r/z  not  long  comlium  Satdk:ci^.6 
after  the  Counfell  at  Nice  celebrated  by  3  4 1 .  Bi- 
fhops  it  is  determined,  ihdt  it  tsjimply  unlawful/ 10 
conUitute  a'Rlihop  in  a  village  or  fmali  Cittie,  lea/i 
the  name  and  attworitie  of  a  Biihop  grow  into  con- 
tempt.    The  fame  in  the  Counfell  o^JLaodicea^ 
That  no  Bifhops  ought  to  bee  placed  in  Villages  and  CoadfiumUtdicentcjS 
Country  Townes, hut vifitors.   To  which adde the  Tm.Toktjx. a. 4, 
Counfell  of  Toledo  held  almoft  one  thoufmd 
yeares  firiee^  which  though  latter  then  the  for- 
mer, was  much  before  the  Papacie,  wherein  'tis 
decreed 5    Therefore  if  any  mmjhalUaufea Bi- 
shop  to  bee  made  in  thofe  places,  where  a  Bi-  So^  Bochardm  Dsmtt 
fhop  never  was,  let  him  be  Anathema  in  the  fight  ^*  5^-  ^'  3  *. 
of  God  K^lmightie,  and  moreover  let  both  the  ordey^ 
ner  and  the  ordeyned  lofe  the  degree  of  his  order,  be- 
caufe  he  hath  pre  fumed  to-Qverthrow  not  only  the  De^ 
(rees  of  the  ijincient  Fathers^  but  alfothe  C^pofio- 
licall  Ordinance, 

Nor  were  their. Dioceffes  then  o^  {vichmx-  V-piHokadimmmu^r 
row  bounds,  when  Theodoret  Bifliop  oi  Cyprus  ^^^^ 
fayes  of  himfelfe,  that  he  was  Paftor  of  Soo.  Pa- 
filhes.  Neither.  ^ 


i^         ^       A  meie  Key te^  of  hpnco^sicie^ 

Neither  were  thefe  DiocefTes  only  diftingui- 
^led  for  convenience,  and  all  Paftors  had  equall 
power  every  where,but  they  had  particular  lurif- 
cjiclion  in  their. feveralL  Precinds  even  from  the 
:  Apoftles  times,  as  was  alleadged  by  the  Bifliop  of 
/-  .•u^.ur.„.rr^.'  Cyprus  2L2a.m{\.  the  Bifliop  of  Jntiech  in  the 
vent,s^ifc9^orum  c^pri.  CounccU  or  Efhcjus  tor  encroaching  upon  his 
DiocefTe,  which  thing  the  C<7/w/^//r^;?//^rf^^4;« 
hmovAtion  centrArpo  the  rules  of  the  Afoftles,  and 
determined  that  no  Bifhop  fhotdd  have  to  doe  with 
any  Country  or  Province  which  had  not  even  from  the 
J- .         'beginning  belonged  to  his  Sea,     And  in  the  Coun- 
S^vlf^^f/Mc^is^;]  cell  of  5^(^Af,and  Ancyra,  it  is  decreed, /f  4  5^- 
*  flwf  ordaine  ^  Mini  ft  er  in  anothef  Dtocejfe  out  of  his 
Oivne,  it  i^oyde, 
seda'in  Hifisr  •  Angi :      In  the  Synod  held  in  England,  Anno  675.  it  is 
1.4,0:5.  fcan :  z-  &  €.   ^ecj-^ed,  that  no  B/jhop  jhould invade  the  Diocejje  of 
another,  nor  e^ercife  any  preiflly  funBion  without 
the  leave  of  the  Bijhop  in  whofe  Dioce(fe.they  are,    ■ 
Thefe  few  I  have  fele(5led  out  of  fo  many  Au- 
thorities (asjto  recite  all  would  fill  a  Volume)  and 
I  refl  latisfied  with  the  fe wer,becaure  both  Scrip- 
ture, and  all  Antiquities  give  us  Prcfi  dents  ftore, 
AnnM^s  auuio^  «^  Si^^^ops,  of  Cities  Provinces  Nations :   As 
Barnaba.  Britamonm  Rome,  Anttochy  Alexandria,  Ifierufalem,  Conftanti- 
ep'ifcopus    ouljaam  :  ^opfe]  Ephefm^Smyrna,  PergamoSy  Thyatira^  Sardis, 
^vfher^de  BrttMnlcArii  PhH.adelphja,  Laodicea^  and  of  the  Cretians,  Aftans, 
sedefarum  prmord^js  Syrians,  Cjprims^  Ljcaonians,  Cjlicians,  and  to  o- 
page  9  74j,74?,io7t  j^^jj.  y^j^  ^^^^y  more.and  come  nearer  home.  We 

and  diverfe  Authors  icadxmt  Ar/Jlohuius  tn  the  yeare,  ')6.  after  Chrift 

^o^  'f'  v^m  ordained  Bifhop  of  the  Briuines,     Yet  no  Age 

r:  1    '  nor 


I/i  briefe  %eyier9s>  of  Epifcopacie!;  17 

nbr  ftory  gives  us  Prefident  of  any  Bifhop  of  a  Pa- 
riih,  very  rarely  of  a  fmall  Ckie. 

If  then  their  Inftitution  were  Apoftolicall, 
their  fucceifion  unqueflionable,  their  DioceflTian 
limits  the  farne.^  whence  is  it  that  we  are  fo  irre- 
concileably  at  odds  with  them  -f 

Iv^arry  their  owne  Coate  thinke  they  overtop 
them  in  fuperiority,  affuming  Iurifdi(5l:ion5  Ordi- 
nation and  the  power  of  the  keyes  to  themfelves. 
Let  us  examine  whether  thcfe  be  late  encroach- 
ments, or  of  Antiquity. 


Sedion  5. 

"That  the  Clergie  ought  to  Se  faperiors 
one  to  another, 

n^He  Scripture  gives  us^our  firft  light  of  fuch 
■■'  diftindion  of  degrees  in  the  Miniftery  •,  faith  i;corm4 12.  u. 
Saint  Tad  J  God  hath  fet  fome  in  the  Ch/trch,  firfl 
A foflles  J  fecondaril-j, Prophets  ythirdly, Teachers, after 
that  Miracles,  thert  gifts  of  Healings,  helpes  in  Go- 
njernments,  Diverfities  of  tongues.  And  as  he  hath 
put  a  priority  of  degrees  in  thefe,  fo  are  their  offi- 
ces diftind,  as  Saint  Ambrofe  hyts.  There  is  one 

thinz  which  Godrectuires  of  a  Bijhop,    another  of  a  ^f^'^of.  it  dignitat : 
„     S  ^1       ir    T^  '■  Saurdotum.c.%. 

Presbyter,  another  of  a  Deacon.  ^ 

And  that  thefe  were  of  feverall  preheminen- 
ces,  venerable  Bede  putsitoutof  queftion,  for  ^*  scda.«i.«c:  «o, 

D  faith 


1 8  AMefeReVtey»of^pifcoip^cic^ 

faith  hee,  Js  no  mm  donbteth  but  the  twelve  Apofl'-^ 
les  didpremonjlrate  the  forme  of  Bijhofs ,  fo  ths  j?- 
*ventj  aid  hare  thefgure  of  the  Preshp^rs  mdfecond 
order  of  Pr'reHs.  ' 

With  this  the  fathers, Saint  Cyprian,  Ambrofe, 
Hierome5Auguftine  agree.  That  thefe  two  degrees 
ofMinilters  wjere  ordejriedbj  Chrifi  when  he  aM>o;n- 
Vmaftts.epi^  54/       tedtrpeive  Jpojiles  {rvhofefucceffors  are  the-B/fhops) 
and f  verity  difciflcs  whom  the  Pre'shiters  fucceedjhefe 
Datnafiis  feconds  faying.  Among  the  Dffaplesof 
Chrifi  we  know  but  two  orders ,  that  isyif  the  twelve 
J jf  off  les,  andfeventy  Difcifles. 
J  natifii  E'iaok  ad     "^n^  fg^^ti^'^h:e  Pnpill o^^ 
T^au'am.  giiiflies  both  the  orders  and  fuperiority  of  thefe 

EpTcopn  fubjem  efiii  Orders  5  advifing  the  Trallians  ftf  ^^ /^^^;>(^  ^^  ^^^/r 
'^^IlI'S^^u-  Bilhop4Sto  tkeir%ord,andmhefreflpers.asuthe^ 
jurum  sfipopH^  Typu  Jpoft/cs  of(^r/fi.The,Bf{hop  bears  the  Type  ofCifdthe 
Dei  Vatm  ommHm  ge-  ^^^^^^  ^r^i    ^/,^  preMcrs  art  as  the  fellowfhip  of  the 

fefui  quldem  &conjun.  Apoftks.PinQ  what  (iaith  ne)/j  the  B/jhop  but  ne  that 
&m  4\^oMonm  costtu.  hath  power  over  al^ln  atiother  of  his  tpiftleshe  ad- 
Tlnels^^'^'^'  '"'vires  the  Magnefians,  That  as  Chrift  doth  nothing 
without  hisfdthcrjfodoeyou  nothing  without  the  Blr- 
P)o^j  whether  you  be  presbyter ,  Beacon  or  Layman, 
This  borh  flievves  a  fuperiority  in  degrees,  and  ex- 
cludes Lay  Elders  out  of  the  Prefbytery, 
citmns   Epifioia    ad       That  thefe  are  notofequall  degree  and  power, 
TiitginHm  Epift.  I .       Clement  one  of  the  Succe(f o  rs  of  Saint  Peter  tefti- 
fies  this  to  beM^*  do^rine  of  Peter,  according  to  the 
InHitntion  ^/c/;r/7/,direding,thar  Presbyters  fhould 
'he  obedient  to  their  Bifhops  in  ail  things.  And  in  his 
third  Epiflle.  adv'iks  Pre sbyiers,  and  Deacons,  and 

othcyj. 


A  brief e  'ReVie^of  Epi/copacie.  1 5^ 

others  of  the  Ckargieto  take  heed  that  they  doe  no- 
thing mthoutthe  Licence  of  the  Bjjl}0p, 

Saint  Auftin,  being  himfelfe  a  Bifhop,  as  care-  Burchardtu  cyt€s  .thh 
full  they  fhoiild  hot  forget  their  duties  and  pre-  ^^  saim  ^w/?w.  bc- 
fume  a  parky,te]s  thcm.Toti  Presbyters,  kmwye  that  tf^',!,!;^;^^^,  &'c'^ 
ymtr  degree  is  the fecond  and  next  to  onrs-^for  even  as  Amhr :  o^c.  1  *.  ct*. 
Bilhops  have  the  place  of  the  Apofiles  in  the  Churchy  i[anyobey  nothisBi- 
•^  v  ;  «  /^  r  1  r  -^  1  r  •  1  1  r  Ihapjhelwatveth  from 
even  JO  the  Presbyters  of  the  other  aijctpes:the  former  ihe  right  way  through 

have  the  decree  of  Aaron,  the  high  Priefl-^  the  later  of  P"de. 
^/^/tf;?m.  With  whofe  opinion  agrees  that  of /JX^DlL/r^'^^" 
Hierome  ;  That  the  Bifhops,  Presbyters,  andDea-  HkronymtaadV.uagr: 
cons  are anfwerahleto  the  High  Prieft.JPriefls ,  and  '?S  Alon^'yWM  1- 

JLevittS.  ju4  hoc  Spifcopum  & 

Saint  Cyprian  obfervesit  asanill{igne,when  pycfb^^emeffenmtnm. 
presbyters  wreftle  for  parity  withtheir  Bifiops:  '^J'P'^'^'  *  i-  '?•^'i' 
whatJanger  ffayes  he)  is  not  to  he  feared  by  off  en- 
ding the  Lord  ^  rvhenfomeofthe  Priefls  not  remem- 
hring  their  place,  neither  thinking  they  have  a  Bifhop 
feto^verthem ,  challenge  the  whole  unto  themfelves, 
even  rvith  the  reproach  and  contempt  of  him  that  is 
fet  over  /-^^/^^PEpiphanius  writing  of  the  Arian  He-  ^piphan  :  con  bar.  7^ . 
refie  holds  it ,  Thefpeech  of  a  Devi  II  rather  then  a  Aug.  Har  55. 
man,  that  there  was  no  difference  between  a  BiOwp  and  ^'''^°  lUtdMic^mx- 

1  K      \   '       'i       An.        r  \        n^     ^\      r  gu  ^fajn  Humana' cert. 

a  Presbyter,  And  in  the  Aas  or  the  Synod  or  Huionis  fmt,  n'm  dif- 
Chalcedon  the  difproportion  was  conceived  fuch,  M  ^pifcopm  a  prejby- 
that  when  Pafchanius  and  Lucentiiis  declared  ,that 
to  bringijack  a  Bifhop  to  the' degree  of  a  presbyter, was  ExafluSyncdJccbal- 
Sacriledgeithc  whole  councell  anfwered,  we  all  fay  J^/^"^,  ^  '^"^  ^  *' 
the  fame  jthe  judgement  of  the  Fathers  is  upright. 

Through  which  degrees ,  the  Ancient  Fathers 
lokgradatim  to  their  preferments,  not  being  at 

D  2  the 


3.0  Z4bri^e  Reyie-^fi  of  E^ikopSLcicl 

^^p>7iia.iib.4.Ep'ft-«'  the  firft  Call,  all  cqualls :  Saint  Cy/^r/^;!  writes  of  , 
/tei  Stcerdoi^  fubime  ^^^^^^/^^^   That  he  came  fo  the  Bijhofrick  not  ftd^-, 
{SS!;S"  denly.  but  havmg  bin  promoted  through  all  the  Eccle^ 
fiaHkdll  offcesy  he  afcendedto  the  height  of  FrieB- 
'hood  by  all  the  degrees  of  Religion,     Which  degree 
and  fnperiority  was  ft  ill  kept  in  the  Reformed 
Churches,  though  fuch  had  beene  the  corrupti- 
ons of  Popery,  that  the  name  Sijhop,  was  growne 
iinpleafing  to  them.  As  may  appeare  by  the  Au- 
guftan  Confeflidn. 
.^     ^     ^      .  Mini^lers  (ky  they)  may  be  reduced iMO  three 

fcfton'ferihjfn.  Orders^  Deacons,  Fajtors y  and  Superintender^s, 
Deacons  me  call  yotmg  MiniBers  who  are  jayned  to-; 
Fajlors,  Payors  to  rvhom  fome  Church  though  done 
is  committed  •,  fuferirnendents  tvee  call  thofc  who  are 
fet  over  other  Pallors  and  Deacons,  Which  whe- 
ther they  diflPer  in  any  thing  but  in  name  from  Bi- 
(hops,  as  ^^wZ'/V  hath  formerly  teftifiedjUfing  a 
bad  Latine  fbr  a  good  Grecke  Word,  I  appeale  to 
every  impartiall  Reader,. 


Let  Hi  neo6i  fee^  'whether  they  affume  a: 
^0  ff^er  their  PredeceJ^ors  had  not, 

'EE  fee  Saint  Paul  committed  to  Tituf, 
both  Iurifdid:ion  and  ordination  when  he 
Titus  I .  s-  fayes,  for  thi^s  caufe  left  I  thee  in  Creete,  that  thou 

jhouldH 


A  brief e  Reyieyxt  ^*Epifcopacie.  21 

Jhouldfi  fet  in  order  the  things  that  arc  wanting,  and 
,   ordaine  Elders  in  every  Citk  as  I  have  appointed 
thee. 

Whence  Du-Moulin  concludes  that  Paul  gave  -Mtf/^/m  comment  j  in 
?^  Titus  fome  freheminenee  over  the  refi.  Likevvile  *^""''" 
in  that  h^chytsxo  Timothy  j  Rebuke  not  an  Elder,  niinoih.f,!. 
and  againe,  Again  si  an  Elder  receive  not  an  accnfa- 
tion-fjut  before  tivo  or  three  rvitnefs'es,!  charge  thee  be- 
fore God  and  the  Lord  kf^, and  his  Slecf  Angels  jhat 
thou  obferve  thefe  things  rvithotit frejudicew  part/a- 
litie.     DU'I^fouiin  colleds  thence^    That  Saint  p^        .   ,  ^"^ 
V^\Afeem£s  to  give  Timothy  a  TribunaU  over  other  in  i  Tim!'^.?^^**^ ' 

Minivers,  y  .,     ^       P^^evldjurrmathes 

And  ;the  like  is  ifnplyed  in  that  Text  of  the  '^^^^'"^  f^P^a  umi^ 
Angcll  of  the  Church  of  Efhefu6,  Revelati,i,  i . 
where  is  mentioned  but  one  Angell ,  though  there 
were  many  Prieft  s  in  the  Citie.     Whereupon  he 
obfcrves*.  That  if  fuperiority.  pertanevtll thing,  MoHimtmmmx  up. 
Cad  muldrfot  have  given  foiver  to  the  Apofiles  over  onRcvcl.2. 1. 
the  refi  of  the  Clear gie. 

Which  notes  of  his,  his fonne  ingenuoufly  MouiinsUttet  fdio 
obferves,  were  his  private  Marginall  Coilecflions 
for  the  fatisfadlion  of  his  owne  Confcience  •,  but 
thefe  are  but  of  a  late  edition,  fome  will  fay  •,  Let 
us  then  lee  whether  the  Ancients  fo  expounded 
the  intention  of  the  Apoftle  by  the  practice  of 
their  times. 

M"".  Fox  in  his  Martyrs  having  recited  feverall 
of  the  firft  Bifliops  after  the  Apoftles  times,  ob- 
ferves  that  there  remaines  little  of  them,  but  certain    ^'  '  *^  ^"'*  *  ^^' 
decretaU  Epi files  containing  little  fubjlmce  of  doB- 

D  3  rine. 


'Zi'  A  oriefe  Rey  lew  of  ^fiko^icie* 

rwe,  hut  Larves^  Injun0ionsj  md  decrees  ^  whereby 
ir  Hiould  appeare,  that  they  had  then  Iuriidi(5tion 
of  Lawes  and  Decrees. 

And  though  there  were  many  Degrees  of 
Minifters,  in  the  Church,  (which  word  c/'wrr^ 
k  generally  taken  for  all  the  Churches  of  a  Pro- 
vince j  yet  was  there  but  one  who  was  the  Go- 
Ignatlui ad  Traii :       vcmor  of  thc  Church,  bearing,  as  faith  Ignatius , 

The  ftvay  of  nuthoritj  nbov  e  and  over  them  all. 

SaJiit  Hterome  dc  Sep-      Saint  Hierome  in  his  Tradate  of  the  feven  or- 

r  ;:^!;i"^i  ^^^ f^  of  the  church,  fayes,he  comes  to  intreatc  of 

erdo  spifcopdliie&.        the  chief e  degree  of  the  Church  %vhich  is  the  power  of 

F»bm^  Deipr^en.ki.  j^^jj^  ^.The  power  whereof  he  thus  expreffeth.  ffd 

governeth  the  Church  of  body  hejheweth  jvhat  every 

one- ought  to  doe,  he  condemneth,  he  receivethyhe  bin^ 

deth,  he  loofeth  that  which  is  bound,  he  hath  the  keyer 

of  the  Kingdome  of  Heaven,  he  ofeneth^and  jhuttetb 

the  Throne  of  God  having  noihing  above  hinti  'tAc- 

cording  to  the  cdnfent  of  thefe  fathers,  doth'the 

Counfcll  of  Antioch  conclude,  that  whatsoever 

cm  X  Antm  i  c.  »4t    things  appertaine  to  the  Church  are  to  bee  governed. 

Husbanded,^  and difpofed  by  the  judgment  and  author 

ritieof  the  Bifhop,to  whofe  truft  w'e  whole  people  is 

committed,  and  the  fou'les  of  the  Congragaiion,        ; 

Qdnon  A^oMi  3 o. di-      The  Ancient  Cannon  called  the  Apoflles,  ap- 

^  51*  pointeth  that  fuch  a  Presbyter  as  will  of  hisowne 

Authority  without  the  appointment  of  th^  Bijhop  hold 

ajfernblies  for  the  fervice  of  God  and  ufe  of  the  S  a- 

cram€nts,  that  he pjould be  depos' das  ambitious.  The 

fame  confirm'd  in  the  Counfell  of  Antioch  in  the 

CmikChmdcnia^:^  fifth  Canon,  which  being  recited  inthe  Coun- 

:  ^  ceU 


Mriefe  Review  of  Epifcopacic;  i  j 

ccU  of  Chalccdon,aIl  the  Bidiops  gave  it  this  Ac- 
damation.  This  is  a  jufi  Rule,  this  is  the  Rule  of  the 
Fathers.. 

In  the  Councellof r^rf^ntvvssdetcrmi-  conc^cxrih r gr^f,  c, 
ned,  th.1t,    if  my  Presb)ter  fivelltngwith  pride  a- 
gainjl  his  Bifhop  f])all  make  a  Schi(rncyWJlhar awing 
himfdfe  from  the  Communis  of  his  B/fhop,  let  him 
be  Anathema. 

The  CounfelloO/Wr^  ordained,  that  Ifa/iy  ^"'^^'^  t/f^/r.  cap.  9. 
man  jhf  the  Canonical!  fentence  of  his  otvne  B./JJop, 
»o  man  jhould receive  him  into  the- Commmiani.  .  : 

Greg.,ho\ds^TheB/fJ)OpshAve'noiv  in  the  Church  cremyhb.^oiUmx^ 
the  places  {of  the  L^pofiles)  they  wh:cbhaa.'e  that 
degree  of  Regiment  have  Amhoritie  to  bind  and  loofe, 

Calvin  no  friend  of  Epifcopall  lurifdiction,  yet  Cs\\n\  jnjiitut ;  iib.4, 
feenaesr  to-  imply  a  necelTirie  of  feme  in  them,  for  ^  u-  art.  a-  •.  ;:.  ^ 
(fayes  he,)  -^f  we  could hame  trae'Sifhofs  (which  he  ^^.^Z  Ti'ft 
fpoke<*in  refpedt  ot  the  Popifli  Bifliops)  /  y/j<?///<^  pane  autimnatii  tri- 
al/ojv  them  fome  author itie  5  though  not  fo  much  ds  ^/!"^^'"'  **"*  quantum 
the^aske^jet  as  much  as  is  reqtiifte  to  Ecclefafiicall  'qL-IttmTdToiHiam 
Policy.  F.ukfit  Yite  ordwanc^ 

So  then  wee  fee  the  Ancient  Fathers  appro-  ''^^"*'"'''''' 
ved  and  pracftifed  this  lurifdiclion,  the  Coiincells 
ratified  and  enlarged  it,   the  ftrideft  Reformer 
thought  it  necdfary.     And  if  it  fltill  now  be  af-  .,   .  . 

faulted  with  violence,   Tfliall  only  repeate  Saint 
Cyprians  words  •  if  it  be  fo  that  what  men  cannot  doe 
by  right  andeqnitie,  they  ma)  accompli f\)  by  raflj  and  ^'5"^"fS'  ^'£'f-f''^'. 
defperate  CourfeSy  then  farewell  the  vigour  of  Epif-  t  ui  vig3.rc,  &  de  katp^ . 
copall  Authority,  and  that  high  and  divine  power  of  ^'*!^^Pf"^* /'*^^^^*'' 
Governing  the  church,  .    '•  i^ir.a  ptei  ats. 

sta. 


24  ^  ^^^/^  Rey'tefP  f/' Epifcopacic. 


Sedion  7. 

Tie  next  exception  is  to  ihepol^er 
of  Ordination, 

"K^  O  doubt  Saint  Paul  had  a  more  immediate,  a 
'^^  much  greater  illumination  of  the  holy  Spirit 
then  any  of  our  late  pretenders  to  infpiration 
can  lay  claime  to,  having  both  an  immediate  and 
miraculous  calling  by  Chrifl  himfelfe,  yet  wee 
find  him  rather  reproving  other  for  intruding  into* 
the  Miniftery,  then  approving  every  maris  illu- 

iEiCoMfc  minated  fancie :  Hq  dsV^s^areallTeachers  "^^  Jf 

the  whole  My  were  gf ,  mhere  were  the  hearin^,(^c. 
And  he  checks  (uch  as  dejire  to  l^e  Teachers  of  the 
.  Law,^  underHanding  neither  what  th  ey  fay, nor  wher* 

of  they  affirme,  of  which  they  could  not  be  igno- 
rantjif  every  man  whom  the  fpirit  moved  muft  be 
iiiftantly  infpired,  as  thefe  men  hold.  Inirufion  up- 
on men  (fayes  one)  is  injurious  ^  Vpon  God  facri- 

Numb,  T:6. 10.  legious.  The  examples  of  Korah  whom  the  earth 

i  samtf  fwallowed  up,  Uz,z,ah  flrucken  dead,    Uzziah 

plagued   with  Leprofie  for  the  invading  th€ 

%  chron.  x6.  Pdefts  office,  are  well  knowne.  Saint  Chryfoslome 

obferves  of  thelaft,   xh.2X.hee  entred theTemple to 

chryfM<m\\.j.deveY-  f^j^^^yp  thePrieH^jood,   and loH  his  kingdame,  being 
u   aiar,w  i  omtnu.  ^^^^^y^^  tio  bec&mc  mpre  "jemrable,  hebeeawetnore 
execrable,  ^t:     ' 

So 


A  briefs  Reyie^  of  Epif  cepacia  1 5 

So  that  neither  in  the  old  law  nor  under  the 
Gofpeil  doc  we  read  of  any  admitted  into  the 
Priefthood  or  Miniftery,  but  fuch  as  either  were 
chofen  and  fet  a  part  by  God  as  theLevites5imrae- 
diatly  called  by  Chrift  himfelfe ,  or  fpecially  or- 
dained by  the  Apoftles.  But  we  fee  Saint  Paul, 
both  ordcyned  Minifters ,  and  gave  them  power 
of  ordination  of  others.  For  this  caufe  (fayes  he  to 
Titus  j  left  I  thee  in  Crete ^  that  thou  jlwuldHfet  in  or- 
der the  things  that  are  wanting ,  and  ordeine  Elders  ^""*  ^*  ^" 
in  e'very  Citie,  as  I  had  appointed  thee. 

Yet  fome  that  admit  a  neceffity  of  orders,  dif- 
pute  not  the  manner  of  the  Apoftles  ordination, 
by  laying  on  of  hands ,  ("as  in  the  A<5ts ,  when  the  Aa»  8. 14. 
Avofiles  rvhich  rvere  at  lerufalem  heard  that  Samaria 
had  received  the  word  of  God ,  theyfent  unto  them 
Peter  and  lohn^who  when  they  were  come  downe,  fray-  ' 
ed for  them  that  they  might  receive  the  holy  Ghofi, 
Then  they  laid  their  hands  on  them^  and  they  received 
the  Holy  Gho/l :)  But  they  except  that  the  Bifliops 
ufurpe  the  power  of  fole  Ordination  to  them- 
felves  which  (fay  they)  is  contrary  to  the  pradife 
of  the  ApoftleSjit  being  not  the  A6t  of  the  Apoft- 
le  or  Bifliop,  but  of  the  whole  Prefbytery:  which   ,  j^^  ^  x^ 
they  ground  upon  that  of  Saint  Paul  to  Timothy . 
NegleB  not  the  gift  that  is  in  thee ,  which  rvasg-ven 
thee  by  prophecy  y  with  the  laying  on  of  the  hands  of  the 
Presbytery. 

So  that  they  fay  the  whole  Clergy  are  inte- 
refted  in  the  Ordination  of  every  Minifter  taking 
the  Latin  word  Presbyterium  which  imports  the 

E  office 


z  ^  A'  hriefe  Reyieftf  of  Epi  fcopacic  ^ 

office  of  Priefthood  for  the  Presbytery^colledtlve, 

that  is,  for  the   whole  body  ot  the  Miniftery, 

where  the  Ancients  give  it  an  expofition  clearely, 

^aftim/iHi.T'm^.u  otherwife  Anfeime  upon  this  place  fayes  ,     Be 

^^  gratia  eft  data  ti-  fpeaketh  ofthat  impofttion  of  hands ,  which  was  ufed 

biper  prophet lam,  cum  Ji  ,  .  J  ^i'T-         r  ■        ri        i  t» 

mpofit'me     manuum  at  his  ordmationyWmch  tmfojttfon  of  hands  was  Pres- 
pefiytcnj,       '        byterij,  oft  he  Preskjterie  or  Friejlhood,  rendring  a 

reafon  why  it  was  laid  Presbytery,  Becaufe  ('faith 

he)  It  was  the  rmfofttion  of  the  hands  of  a  Presbyter, 
Iff  A  in  I  Tim.  4. 14.  ffj^t  js^  Paul ,  who  inipofed  hands  upon  him.     With 
Z^Ti^flulpZ  ^H'  interpretation  Lyra,  upon  the  fame  Text  a- 
prejlyteiiHinpre  E^ifco-  grees.  That  the  Presbyter ie,  is  the  dignity  or  office  of 
^^^"'  a  Presbyter,  and  that  in  this  place^  Presbyterium  /V 

taken  for  the  office  of  a  B^fhop. 
chryfof} I  Homily,  in      SnniChrjfoHome  excludeth    the  Presbytery 
iTicnoth;  f  faying)  The  Presbyters  could  not  lay  hands  on  a  Bi- 

pm.  With  whom  accords  TheophylaB  ^  on  the 
Sch!^/"  '■  '^■ftmepbce.taking  the  Presbytery  for  the  BiOiop, 
Advene  quantum  vn-  marh  ([ajcs  ht)  whatforce  the  impofmg  of  the 

*C^ivhs'  inaitutious.  "'  Calvin  gives  \t  a  dearer  ^uiffa(5iion,explayning 
lib.x.cap.  5.  that  place  of  Saint  Paul,  not  to  be  intended  of  the 

dicitur,jt.oii,iuai:^il^o  asif  aeh-ld  faid'v  Endeavour' that  the  grace  which 

quafi  panim  dc  Scmo-  yfi^mofifmiofhandsMetidid^recei'uervhenlmadc 
rum  CoUceto  lomat.  r^     i      {,-'/;■     '  ,  -    '  •  .-^  f  . 

fed  hoc  mmmordlna-  thee  Presbyter,  be  norm  vatne. 

tioncm  ipfam.  mteU'igo '  But  whcthcT  by.  the  Presbytery  Saint  Paul 
r^,Sr;f L'-S  heremeantthe whole Miniftery,  ortheofficeof . 
imfo^tioncm  reccp'di  y  P^ieft■h^6od^ifw^e  "^ilt-give  him  leave  to  be  his 
qnum  te  prc(byterum  Q^wAeiMcrpreter,  he-will  ■  talte  away  all  Contro- 
crea7evi,nonpti,na-  yj^f^.^-^j-  aftcrwatds ,  inhis  fccond  Epiftle  to 
;>-.>^':o  the 


A  brief e  Re'y>ie')»  (/*  Epifco  pacic^  47 

the  fame  Timothy,  he  puts  him  in  remembrance. 

That  thoufljrre  uf  the  gift  of  God  which  is  in  thee  jby  z  Tim.  r.<f. 

thefuttingon  ofmj  hands » 

Vpon which  place  Calvin  obferves,  that  not  cahiit\ti^m:i^e.i 
-  a)7y  more  impofed hands  on  Timothy  J  And  Dionyjius  in  fine. 

Carthus .-expounds  Manuum  Prefiyten)t  ideji([akh. 

he)  Manuum  Metwnm,  that  />,  of  my  hands  who  did 

ordeine  thee  Bijhop. Hence  it  is,  that  the  Canon  cat-  Downeham  /.j.foi  80. 

led  the  Apoftles,  appoints  that^  Presbyter .^  and  fo  Apoftoi;  Canon  u.». 

aDeaconmaybe  ordeined  ofone.    And  the  Fathers  ^    .        ^.  ^ 

of  the  African  Counceil  agree,  that  one Bijhop  El<lcolo,tl7^u^\bi^ 

many  ordeine  many  Presbyters ,  but  {fay  they  )  a  Bi-  spi/^opis  ne  ordwtur, 

jhop  cannot  he  ordained  but  hy^  many  Bijlwps,  tnjbfteT'"'  ^^'^'"^'' 

Saint  Chryfoftome^  defcribeth  the  Biiliop  by  his  Chryfofiom.  dc  Saccrd. 

property,  hee  that  is  to  ordeine  us.  The  people  of  ^"^'^"P''^^  ds  vita  au- 

Kt-  -  T,      t  1111         A    ^  n-  ,  guflini. 

Hippo  wanting  a  Presbyter ^  lay  hold  on  Augujhne  and 
bring  him  to  Valerius  tbe  Bifhop  to  ordeine  him. 

Dz/rW/^/ Ingenuouily  obferves,  that /«f^  r/Vf-j  ^ 

as  were  in  the  new  TeHament  werefgurated in  the  old  q.  ^.^,  •  4*  »  .  14* 
Law .  And  in  the  old  Law  a  Bifhop  or  chief e  Priefi  by  ^^^  q'^f  funt  h  nova  le- 
Divine  ordination,  had  a  fpeciall  Confecration  above  fJ^Tf'^  f^ntper  to. 
fimplePrieJrs-^asinthe  eight  of  Leviticus,  onelythe  {edinveterUegcE.ifco' 
head  of  the  chief e  Pri  eft  (who  had  power  to  ordai-ne  P'**  (cftftitimm  sacer- 
others ^and  to  whom  onely  it  was  lawfull  to  enter  the  neeonfecrab^turfpeJ^i 
Holy  of  the  Holy  eft)  was  anointed  with  the  anointing  confccratione  &  ad/pe- 
oyl<(therefmf^eskytfamestikemretoke.^ 
"Vine  ordination ,  That  the  head  of  the  Bijhop  who  is 
chiefe  Priefi y  fhould  be  anointed  tofomefpeciall  a&to  ^ 

him  only  belonging.^as  to  ordain  Miniflers^andfuchlike 

Ail  which  place?  doe  affirmatively-  prove^hat 
a  Bifhop  muft  orddik-  Minifters.    Yet  doe  I  not 

E  2  obferve 


X  8  A  briefe  ReVteyfi  of  EpifcopacieJ 

obferVe  that  our  Bifhops  doe  ingrofle  to  them- 
fclvcs  what  they  are  charged  with  (fole  Ordinati- 
on) as  if  they  excluded  theprefenceof  the  reft 
of  the  Miniftery-,  Neither^  in  their  pradlife 
which  we  know  to  bee  othcrwife  (theyalwayes 
calling  fome  to  be  prcfent,)  nor  in  their  portions, 
but  as  Bifliop  Hall  fayes,  tht^s  pwer  is  jo  oms,  as 
that  it  jhould  not  hee  without  us,  it  is  enoi.gh  that 
regularly  it  fhould  bee  the  t^B  of  the  Bifhop. 

Yet  we  fee  fuch  a  propriety  was  attributed  in 
antiquitie,  that  diverfc  of  the  Ancient  Councels 
inhibited  the  exercife  of  ordination  by  their  Cho- 
imiii  Aniyra.c.  15,  repfcop,  or  Country  Bifliops.  The  Councell of 
o^wjr^  being  before  the  Councell  of  iN^/Vf,  de- 
termined it  to  be  unlawfutl  fcr  CoHfitry  Bifliops 
-    .,    .,.,,,  to  ordaine  Presbyters  or  Deacom.    Which  receives 

a  more  particular  limitation  by  the  Councell  01 
jintioch.  That  Bifhops  placed  m  theTotvnes  and 
Countries  called  Chorc^ifcopiy  although  they  had  re^ 
ceived  the  Ordination  of  Bifhops^  yet  they  fhould  knom 
their  owne  meafnre,  &c.  and  not  f  re  fume  to  ordaine 
Minifiers  or  Deacons  j  without  the  Bijhop  in  the  Citie, 
whereunto  both  himfelfe  and  the  Country  are  fubjeB, 
But  if  any  jhall  transgreffe  this  decree ,  he  fhall  be  de- 
prived of  that  honour  which  he  hath. 

So  we  fee  the  power  of  Ordination  was  af- 
CAtvintraaatx  dcne-^  firmatively  in  them,  negatively  could  not  bee 
testate  rtfomeindie  withouttliem.  Nor  would  C^/i^/»  abridge  them 
ttckfue.?0te{iatemn0'  ^^is  right,  but  faycs  hce,  Let  Bifhops  retaine  the 
mtnandt  &  exdmndt  >         •  j     j      ■  vt    ^  /r      •      ^ 

retimtnt'  pwer  oj  nammg  and  ordaining*     Not  aflenting  to 

the  vaine  aflfertions  of  fuch  NoveWfis,  asprefume 
It  upon 


A  hriefe  Rcyhw  of  Epifcopacic.  i^ 

upon  an  inward  calling  negle(5iing  the  Ordination 

of  the  Bifhop  whom  ii/^//2>^^^^/«  more  abfolutely  ,^,    «,,, 

1^11-        -ivrW         /       r.   a  a   MclanSlhon pan.  i^M. 

convjnccs,  Holding  it  Necejjarythat  Pajtorsmuft  jo^. 

be  ordained  by  Pafiors,  and  that  it  )vas  the  anaent  ^'ecejjecfi Panares aPa 
Cujl0«^  that  the  Church  chofi  (that  was  fuel,  ro  1:^::,::^^^:^. 
whom  the  Church  had  committed  the  carej  and  iia,hoc  enjnquibu^  cam 
this  was  by  the  iudzment  and  approbation  of  the  Bi-  ^["^  iommfit  scdefia  ^ 
Inop  that  ordat7:ea.  approbatio  spifcopi  crdi- 

And  of  what  confequence  it  istoallProre-  ^'"»^«- 
ftants  that  this  power  of  Ordination  be  kept  in  a 
proper  courfe  according  to  its  firft  inftitutioHjthat 
we  hazard  not  the  loffe  of  a  lawfull  Miniftery  we 
may  judge  by  that  of^  MelanBhon  •   whofe  opini-  ^^^^^^^^  /"^^^  4-  fol. 
on  it  was,  that  God  faves  not  without  that  MimUe-  iVd«i  mi^  (civat  dcus 
rie,  which  he  ordainedy  according  to  that  faying.  He  ('''ei/iommjienoj  quod 
that  beleeves  and  was  baptized  :  Neither  can  the  l/j^^"*  ^i'lreJ!li:!it 
Church   exift^  this  Miniflerie  being  ext in-  &  saptixatm  fuerit-y 

^^n^^a.  ,   ,  .     A      .  ^       ,        te(i  exiinao  hoc  mini' 

Saint  Cyprian  much  his  Ancient  more  Empha-  ftem. 
tically  exprefTeth  himfclfe  •,  That  if  Bijlwps  be  ta-  ^!  ^P^f^^P'^  ^^bU  excide- 
ken  away,  it  is  neceffarie  the  Church  mufi  fte  a  Bill  of  'velfetmEccufiamnt 
Divorce  from  God,  becaufe  it  can  no  more  be  called  a  eeffe  tfet,  quia  ampim 

The  Authority  of  thefe  great  Divines  fliould  ^^''^^^' 
make  us  careful!,  how  we  part  with  this  power  of 
.Ordination,  or  thefe  Ordainers,  if  we  refpe(5t  the 
•falvation  of  our  foules,  or  the  exiftency  of  th^ 
Proteftant  Church  •,  And  I  muft  confefTe,  for 
ought  that  I  have  yet  feene  or  heard.  I  (hould  reft 
much  unfatisfied  in  point  of  Conscience  cither 
ki  9  populai:  elcdion  of  Minifters  ♦,  or  in  the  dif- 

E  J  cjpline-. 


^o 


^dd 


liter,  ad  Euagf 
faeit  epifcopus  excep- 
tx  ordinatione  quod  no/i 
facitei'iam^reibytcrr 


\A  hrltfe  Reyie'^  of  Epifcopacic. 

cipline  of  the  Church  by  Lay  Elders.  For  proofe 
whereof  I  never  yet  faw  any  thing  that  reUfli'd  of 
Senfe  out  mecre  mif-application^diftorrion  of  the 
word  Presbytery  for  Lay  Elders.  Which  both 
Scripture  and  the  fathers  fuily  explain  to  be  inten- 
ded by  Minifters  of  the  Word  and  Sacraments  ^ 
And  never  yet  was  fo  much  as  the  word  Lay- 
Elder,  ever  feene  in  Scripture  or  Antiquity. 

Saint  Hierom  fully  refolves  the  fcruple  putting 
this  power  of  ordination,  as  one  of  the  principall 
differences  twixt  a  Bifliop,  and  a  Presbyter. 
Which  muft  needs  imply  that  presbyters  were 
not  Lay-men  who  might  exercife  moft  parts  of 
the  Minifteriall  office  except  principally  ordina- 
tion of  Minifters. 


Section  8. 


Ecclefii^icall  Qenfures  anciently  in 
Bishops. 


'LL  thefe  former  exceptions  recon- 
cird,yet  there  is  one  above  all-.  The 
power  of  the  keys,  Tis  Him  ill  a  U- 
ehrymA:  the  great  grievance  is  jiot 
that  the  Bifhops  have  too  raucti 
power  to  punilh,but  th'at  thefe  have  not  all  pdwet 

as 


lAbriefi'^e'pie'S^of  Epifcopacie.'  n 

as  well  as  the  Bifliops.  Chrift  HimfelFe  commit  - 
ted  this  power  to  the  ApoflleP^^^r^  I  will  give 
unto  thee  the  Keys  of  the  k/ngdome  of  Heaven,  afjd 
ivhatfoever  thou  jlalt  h/nde  or/ e^irth^  [hall  l>e  hoimd 
in  Heaven.  ^  ^Matili.KT.r^. 

Now  leaft  Peter  {liould  appropriate  this  power 
to  himfelfe  ^ "  Againe  after  his  Refurre(5^ion,  he 
appeared  to  Eleven  of  his  Difciples  being  afTcm- 
bled,  and  having  breath'd  the  Holy  GhoHuY-^n 
them,  he  tranfmits  this  power  to  them  all,  ivhofc 
foevcr  fwnes  yee  remit ,  they  are  remitted  unto  them, 
and  whofe  foever  fmnes  '^ee  retaine  they  are  retain- 
ed :  ^  by  which  two  places,  as  we  may  obferve,  ^  ^q^^^  ^^  ^ 
this  power  was  not  appropriated  only  to  Peter,  Co 
it  was  only  inlpartedto  the  Apoftles,  and  not  to 
any  Presbytery  or  Lay  Elders.  Nor  dyed  it  with 
them,  but  we  finde  that  Saint  Paul  having  inititu- 
ted  Titus  in  the  order  Apoftolike  or  Epifcopall, 
transfers  this  power  with  his  order,  them  that  fin, 
rehuke  before  all, that  others  alfo  may- feare,  '^  ^yfnd  ^i  Timothy  jjo 
a  man  that  is  an  Heretic k  after  the  fr si  and  fecond 
Admonition  rejecl.  ^  dThus$io, 

But  fay  thefe  Difciplinarhns  from  that  of 
Matthew  :   Tell  the  Churcht,  if  hee  he  are  not  the . 
churchy  let  him  be  to  thee  as  m  Ethnicke  and  Publi- 
can ',  ^  That  therefore  the  Apoftle  could  not  Ex-  a  wath.  ig, 
communicate  without  Jie  confent  of  the  church, 
but  that  the  power  of  the  Keyes  belongs  to  the  ^T>kscciep^,pr,tfhiihs 
whole  multitude-.,  wli^reas  the  Fathers,  C/;r/tf-  ^cbZ-V^'Itl^^^^^ 
fiome,  Hierom,  Hillary ,  and  othefS  upon  that  place  Mat«h.     '         / 

agree, 


3^  ^  Mefc  Reyhw  of  EfikofSLcicl 

*  agree,  Tell  it  to  the  Church, {th^tis)  the  Riders  and 
Covernours  of  the  Church . 

iHliiar:  de  TmUatc.       ^^^  SdAm.  Hilary  reftrainesthisonly  toihe  A- 
lib.^.  poftles  (of  whom  h  e  fayes  j  §  0  yce  bleffed  and  ho- 

ly men,  that  fir  the  defert  of  your  faith  gate  the  keyes 
of  the  kingdome  of  Heaven.     And  Saint  Gregory 
more  fully-.  The  Apoftles  (faith he) iv-^/r^j^^- 
red  the  dilhiB  judgment  of  God,  are  made  judges  of 
foules,   their  places  norv  in  the  Church  the  Bifliops 

^^'egorx  m  evangel'.      ^^^',.      a       n    v     u         r:   -r         il 

Horn.  16,  This  Apoltohcall  or  Epiicopall  power  was 

Gonftantly  pradiis'd  by  the  ^//^'C'/'j  (the  Apoftics 

fucceffors)  in  all  the  Primitive  times,  who  *  exer- 

eifed  it  with  greater  authority  before  there  were  Chri- 

jiian  MagiHrates  then  afterwards.     For  before  they 

I  i%l ,'  &c.     '  call'd  arid  held  their  C  ounce  lis  by  their  owne  author  i  - 

HeoMf:  cap.  3,3.        ficj  they  heard  and  judged  all  caufes  amengst  Christ- 

ans,  they  punifh'd  all  kinds  of  faults  by  Eccleftafi- 

£allcenfures. 

It  were  vaine  expence  of  time  to  muftcr  up 
a  McUndhon :  Artie ;  proofes,  they  ate  fo  infinite,  for  the  conftant  and 
mietVgimr  SpiCcopf^  continuall  ufe  of  this  power  in  the  hands  of  5/'- 
poiejtate  ordinuM  eft  jhop  fince  the  Apoftles  times,  which  was  fcarce 
f"'^'''^"*^JJ^\^f  ever  qucftion'd  till  of  late  •,  When  *  MdanHhor^ 
&^ptllatem ju^ifdi-  a  great  Reformer  fatisfics us,  That  a Bflwp hath 
Hiem,  htM;e^,authori-  pxver  of Order,  that  is,  of  the  Mini  si  cry  of  the  Word 
utem  excommunicandt  ^„^sacraments,andhath  afi  powcr  of  lurifdiBion, 
nibHs,  &ruY(Mab[ol-  that  ts,  Author ttie  to  excommunicate  \u€h  04  are  00- 
vendieos  ficonverftpe-  yiQxtous  in  publike  Crimes,  and abfolvinz  fuch  as  be- 
Epifioia  adGaiparum  mg  converted  require  objolution, 
Li'xftum.  Tiuneiuamu'      And  Mafter  Calvin,zs  is  formerly  cited,  con- 

tilefittavi,&c.  cdved 


ceived  it  an  odious  thing  to  commit  the  power  of 

Excommunication  to  every  Paftor,  as  that  which 

would  foone  flippe  into  Tyranny ,and  was  againft 

the  cuftome  of  the  Apoftles.     How  much  more 

Tyrannicall  muft  it  bee,   if  it  fliall  fall  into  the 

hands  of  the  multitude,  which  Seza  ^  holds  to  he  b  Bera  ^motatx  m 

afouleenor,  is.ap.Matthi 

Yet  this  is  the  old  caufe  of  quarrell  •,  AgainB 
this  Hkr Archie  (fay  they  j  xve  doe  not  commence  jout  ^^^*'  ^P'^^* 
renew  ourfuite  for  the  recover ie  of  the  Keys  ofchrifi. 
Which  Keys  whenfoever  they  recover-.  The 
^Nobility  and  Gentry  become  Captives  to  the 
vulgar,  and  all  order  and  honour  in  the  Church 
muft  degenerate  into  confufion,  in  confequence 
both  Religion  and  Learning  perifli. 


Sed:ion  ^. 
'titles  of  Honour  anciently  giyen  to 

TDVtfliould  we  admit  a  right,  afuccelHon,  a 
-■-^neceflity  in  all  thefe^  yet  now  they  are  A  f- 
fpirers  5  They  are  become  Lord  Bifhops^and  this 
word  Lordly  Prelate  is  fuch  a  badge  of  Anti- 
chrift,  that  they  muft  needs  be  taken  lower  and 
humbled.  ,  Alas  good  men  1  I  wifti  the  envie 
of  many  of  us  were  not  greater  than  their  Amr 

F  How 


j4  ^  Mefe  Rh^k^ifEpiCc6f£cic. 

How  meanc,  how  bafe,  how  contemptible  a 
calling  is  the  fervice  of  the  Altar  become  with 
fome  men,  when  as  the  Lawyer,  whofe  heft  ufe 
i$  by  fctling  our  tenfipofall  eftates  to  preferve 
peace  ori  earth;  The  Phyfitian  who  thrives  by 
the  diforder,  corruption  or  decay  of  our  Nature  5 
The  Merchant  who  cloathes  our  pride  with  raggs 
of  vanity^  Or  feeds  our  Gluttony  with  fupetflu- 
ous  Gates ',   The  Clarke  wliofe  oftelyvertueh 
to  write  wide  and  faf^,  to  doe  little  and  take  great 
fees-,  The  Vfuter  whofe  rife  is  but  our  faB  ,whom 
other  men's  vices  (prodigality  or  improvidence) 
not  his  owne  merit  or  induftry  advances ;  may  all 
of  them  without  murmur  or  regret  undermine  us 
of  our  Eftates,  overtop  us  in  advancement,  fcale 
the  Wall  of  Honour,  and  plant  their  pofteritics 
to  all  ages  in  degrees  of  eminent  e,aboveour  reach 
without  our  envie. 

And  yet  the  Divine,  our  Advocate,  for  an'in- 
corruptible,  etcrnall  Joherir^nce',  our  Pctice-ma- 
ker  with  G6d^  The  t^hyfitian  of  our  foules^ 
The  Merchant  rii^t'fefiflgs  us  to  that  rich  War- 
drop  the  Robes  of  Chrifts  righteoufneffe,  feeds 
us  with  the  food  of  life,  the  word  of  truth  ^  The 
Clarke,  the  Regifter  of  our  fifth  and  penitence, 
(m  foules  Treafitrerthdt  lends ^mifi?,  that  Tfea- 
fure  wtierewith  v^e  ptirchafe  an  eternall  Crowfte 
of  glory  •,  To  him  we  can  fcarce  repay  thanks^ 
sdmk  hirtl  a  poOre fraiflfitorj^  Temporary  Title  of 
Hohour,  Of  allow  Ws  pofterity  a  footing  amongft 
us.    Who  fhaM  on  fuch  Tearmes  traineuphis 

Child 


AhriefeRtVtei»  ^  Epifcojpaciel  35 

Child  at  the  fecte  of  Ganfaliel,  whenhe  is  cer<- 
taine  he  can  never  attainc  honour  to  himfclfejfor^ 
tunc  for  his  pofterity. 

And  had  the  office  of  the  Prieft-hood  no 
Title  of  greater  Honour  or  refpe(5l  from  the  be- 
ginning <  If  fo,  'tis  fit  to  reduce  fuch  incroach- 
mcnt$. 

The  firft  Prieft  wereade  of  had  a  High  Ti-  Genofis  14. 1%, 
tie,  Melchifedecke  Km^  of  Salem  w^  the  Prieft  of 
the  moB  High  God,  to  him  Jham gave  Tythes  of  *•• 

ail.  (Neither  their  Honours  nor  their  fortunes  arc 
much  increafed.)  Mofes  was  both  a  Prince  and  a  . 
Prieft,  as  Saint  AuHirty  Hieromey  Naz,ian2^enj  and 
others  all  agreejthat  he  was  Sacerdos  faccrdotum  : 
(^  fummus  Dei  facer dos.  k^  PrieH  of  Prieft s, 
and  the  High  Priefi  of  God -^  whofe  opinions  are 
grounded  on  and  confirmed  by  the  Pfalmift,  Mo-  p^^j^^ 
^es  and  Aaron  amongli  his  PrieHs,  and  Samuel  a-  ^'  ' 

mongH  them  that  call  upon  his  Name.     Nor  wore 
his  hands  bound  from  Princely  jurifdi(fiion  5 
But  he  was  a  ffeciall  inftrument  of  God  for  the  pro^  Uoy(t%fuitfpeciak  Dti 
mulging  of  the  lams  and  commands  of  G  0  D  for  ^^^rumentumprosynA- 
the  Government  both  of  the  Chnrch  and  Common-  ^&*  mandlu  Dti^'9. 
wealth,  mulgandt  pr«  refftmc 

Eleazar  the  fonne  of  Aaron  is  appointed  to  "^"'^i 
htt  Princefs  princifum  Ltvi y   ^Chiefe  ever  the  u^^j^^^^^.^^^ 
chiefe  of  the  Levites,     And  inlerufalera,  Ama- 
x,ialh  the  chiefe  PrieB  isfet  over  the  fttfreame  fudges 
and  Fri^fts  in  all  meters  iff  the  Lord.    «Nor  w^re  ^  q. 
they  tjtularly  ordy  over  them,  but  voted  in  judge-  '  ''* 

ffientj  which  the  other  did  not.    If  tkfre  arife  a 
^'^-  F  2  natter 


j^  JbriefeReVieTiofEfiFcOp^ciel 

matter  too  hard  for  thee  in  ]udgementy  &c.  Thou 

palt  cometothe  Prielis  of  the  LeviteSj  and  unto  the 

Judge  that  jJ}a/l  hem  thofedajes,  and  they  fJjalljherv 

^Deuier.  17.?.  thee  the  fentence  of  judgment,  '^ 

Neither  were  thefe  Titles  onely  attributed  to 

the  Pricfts  in  the  old  Law  •  butvvefindcdiverfc 

of  the  fathers  have  given  the  fame  to  the  Bifhops 

fince  the  Gofpell. 

„.       .       _/,  Saint //»r<?w  upon  the  44:  Pfilme,. '(/»//f4<s? 

SiintAu§in.meundem.  ^1  Fathers  Children  are  borne  untathee,  mhomthou 
[halt  make  Princes  in  all  the  earth : )  fayes.  The  Gof- 
fellis  ffread  in  all  ends  of  the  worlds  in  which 
{FrinapsEcclefm,  \.  Epfcopi)  The  Princes  of  the 
churchy  thati^y  B/fJjops  are  placed. 

/Lib I  i:adverfi  Ver-        f  Qftatm  calieth  them  r^Ipces  dr  principes 


mem 

omnium. 


The  learned  'chamier,  fpeaking  of  the  powee 
of  the  Primitive  Bifliops  in  oppofition  of  the 
*C\Mmitr'i)€Oecumc-  Monarchicall  Government  of  the  Pope  '^over 
nicopontificc/ib:  10  c^  all  BiOiops,  coiifeffeth,  That  When  this  Order  or 
Conftat,  Neumqui-  j^  ],^  ^r  ^^llopsdisimB  fromthat  of  PricHs  wos 
rum  a  Presby^era  eit-  prH  injtitutcd,  the  Bijhops  though  they  had  not  MO" 
jim^iorHm  ordo  fioe  fjarchicall  porver  over- the  clergie,  yet  \vere  Ele6i 
Wt«d-  '''■'""h  ""dfit  over  the  .dmmHmhn  of  huft- 

Monarch!,  qui  potcjia-  ncljes,  - 

tmhaberent  inckrum       yet  though  thefe  greater  ftyles  were  digcfled, 

vebuA  deiibcnindis  ge-  (lay  lomc)  the  name  01  Lords  hath  an  exprefle 

renaifqjrae^c^t.         Text  againft  it.     Tpje  Kings  of  the. Gentiles  exer- 

caz.xf.  ^^^  Lordjhip  O'ver  them,  dindtheythat  exercife Au" 

thoritie  upon  them  are  called SenefaB or s  ^  But  it  fhall 

mtbeforvithyoth     'Tis  a  ftrangc  enforcement  of 

;  .  -this; 


A  hriefe  R  eyiew  $/  Epilcopacic.  j7 

this  Text,  that  therefore  the  Miniftery  muft  bearc 
no  Titles  of  Honour.  It  is  not  faid  the  Kings  of 
the  Gentiles  are  Lords,  therefore  you  flrill  be  no 
Lords  •,  But  'tis,  they  that  exercife  authoritie  are 
called  Benefa(5tors-,but  it  fhal  not  be  fo  with  you : 
you  Ihall  mutually  helpe  one  another :  you  fliall 
not  tyrannize  as  the  Gentiles  did,  over  one  ano- 
ther, hut  let  him  that  is  chiefe  bee  as  hee  that  doth 
ferve.  ^  lam  amongflyott,  as  he  thatferveth  •  which  ^  ^^^^  ***  *'^»  *7' 
clearely  manifefteth  (making  himfelfe  the  pat- 
terned that  he  intended  the  Minifteriall  alfiftance 
they  were  to  give  to  one  another  being  all  Apo- 
files,  not  the  forbidding  of  Titles  of  Honour  due 
to  their  callings,  for  he  that  calls  himfelfe  their 
fervant  in  this  fenfe,  permits  them  all  immediate- 
ly after  to  call  him  Lord,  *"  Thej  faid,  Lord^  behold  c  Luke  i*.  38. 
^ere  are  two  [words.   And  in  another  place  he  ap- 
iprovesthem;  TetcallmeMasierandLord^  andye  ^^*'5' 

fay  vptll^  for  fo  I  am,     if  then  your  Lord  and  Ma-  j^.. 

fier  have  tvafh'd  your  feete,  yee  alfd  ought  to  rvajh 
one  another s  feete,     I  have  given  yott  an  example  if. 

that  yee  fh0uld  doc^  as  I  have  done  to  you.  Verily  I  ^^' 

fay  unto  yoUy  the  fervant  is  not  greater  than  his 
Lord.  This  both  fully  explaines  his  intention 
by  the  Minifteriall  office,  and  implyes  a  fuperio- 
rity.  But  to  forbid  the  Apofllestoadmitfiicli 
honour  which  God  hath  commanded  and  allow- 
ed to  their  calling,  the  Scriptures  fhould  be  con-^ 
trary  to  themfelves. 

Feare  God,  and  honour  his PrieFis)  ''faith  tlYe  rfEcckfiaft,?*. 
Wifenaan,  Saint  Paul  fayes^  They  that  gov  erne 

F  3  well. 


J8 

>  I  Timothy  % 
fMarke  tf.4. 


J  I  Kings  it. 


li  Kings  I, 
'^2  Kings  4. 


Z4  briefe  Reyie^  of  Epifcopacici 

mil  are  worthy  of  double  honour  ^ .  And  our  Savioui' 
himfelfe  complaines ,  A  Prophet  is  not  without  ho- 
nour but  in  his  owrte  Countreyf.  Now  whether  they 
were  debarred  a  Titular  honour  or  no  ,  the 
whole  caufe  of  the  Scripture  will  determine. 

The  prophets  both  gave  and  received  this  Tit- 
le (LorQ),ffamah  calls  Eli  the  Prieft  Lord,  i  .Sam. 
I .  Jrt  mt  thoH  my  i<?r^/Elias,p/(/Obadiah '  ?  And 
againe,iv^/  it  not  told  my  Lord  what  I  didy  rvhen  leza- 
hdVflerv  the  Prophets  of  the  Lord  Sec,  The  men  of 
the  Citty  faid  to  Elijha ,  Behold  I  pray  thee ,  the 
fcituation  of  this  City  is  pleafant  ,ts  my  Lord  feet  h^but 
the  water  is  naugh^O  my  Lord,  delude  not  thy  Hand- 
maide^  faid  the  Shunamite  to  Elizeus^<  And  againe, 
did  I  defire  afonne  of  my  Lord  ?  Sechaniah  thefonne 
rflehiel  calls ^  the  Prophet  Ezra^LordEiraithc  10,3. 
But  were  thefe  Titles  of  honour  aboliflied 
with  Chrifts  commingc'Saint  Paul  commends  the 
Galathians  "*  For  receiving  him  with  that  reverence^ 
AS  ifhee  had  beene  an  Angell. 

In  the  GofpelL  the  Apoftles  are  called  by  our 
Saviour  himfelfe.  The  fait  of  the  Earth ^.the  light  of 
the  world,  °  The  Grcekes  came  to  Philip  the  Apo- 
ftle  faying  ^^^  or  Lord  wee  would  fee  leftts,  °  The 
Bifhops  of  the  7.  Churches  are  in  the  Revelation 
called  the  feaven  ft arrs,  and  fcaven  Angells . 

Bee  Subject  (faith  ffierome)  to  thySifhop,  and  re- 
ference him  as  the  Father  ofthyfoule^.  Saint  Auftin 
holds,  that  the  King  beares  the  Image  ofGod^even  as 
Won  •  ^^^  -S^/^^f  ^^^^  ^f  Cl^yift ;   i^5  long  then  as  he  hoi- 
^xvmriTe^*mnt9  f-i  ^ff'  th^t  office,  hee  is  to  bee  honoHredrifmtf» 

himfelfe-^ 


^GaUt.4« 


%  Mauliew  f . 
f  lobn  It. 


\Vkt%n.  adNeftti 


xA  briefe  %eyie'^  of  Epifcopacie^  j^ 

himfdfe  •,  )et  for  his  order  ', 

iefusChrift  f faith  Cyprian)  even  to  hlsdcmh  bcyprianl.^.'EpiR.^l 
yeiUed  Hem:!r  to  Priefis  a?}d  Bifhops  (of the  I  ewes) 
though  they  receivedneithtrfeareefCodjnor  kmipledge 
of  Chrjfiyteaching  us  fully  to  honour  true  PrieHs  by  his 
behiivioftr  untofalfe.  But  this  will  perhaps  be  fliid 
to  be  but  a  fpirituall  3  aninternall  Reverence  to 
their  calling^^Their  perfons  had  no  fuchAtti'ibute 
of  honour  till  the  time  of  Popery. 

The  papacy  came  not  to  its  height  till  the  time 
odiildehrand,  whichwasathoufand  yeares  after 
Chrift ,  when  the  Pope  got  the  temporall  fupre- 
macy.  But  wee  fliall  finde  they  held  the  fame  Tit- 
tles of  honour  in  the  Primitive  times. 

Beloved  brother  was  the  ufuall  Style  ofConftdn- 
tine  the  great,when  he  wrote  to  any  of  his  Bifliofs, 
2SEufebius  relates  in  vita  Confi:  lib.  2.  cap.  45'. 
&  lib.  3.  cap.  59. 

Alexander  Bifliop  of  Alexandria,  writift^  to  ;i 

Alexander  Bilhop  of  Conjldntinofle  gM§  hi^  £Theod./.i.rtf».4, 
this  flyle ,  To  my  moH  honourable  bf^ther :  *^  Afiiss  ^Thcod.  i  ucaf.^U 
'^xticstoBHfehius,Tomymofldefired  Lwd^ ^ Etffe-  ei\iid.ca^.€, 
biu^mltcs^TomyLordVzuiimsB/JhpofTrevm^,  /Athanafius  ^po/:*' 
.    TheBifliopsofE25^pt  write  to  the  Bifhops  in  i9;!^s«;yNa2ian«n.' 
l^Ouncell,  iit  Tyrus^  ^  To  our  rnofi  honour abk  L&r  ds.  ^    ' 

Gregory  Natianz^en  to  Gregory  Nyfen^.Letm 
manfpeake  mtruthes  ofmee,  nor  of  my  Lords  the  Bi-  ^  Tlieodorct.  A^,  y.f.^. 
/hops.  The  fathers  of  the  fecond^enerall  Coi^ell 
at  Coiiftance  ^  dire(ft  letters  thence  Tot'he  tnoll  he- 
neurable  Lords,  Damafus,  Ambrbfe',  &c. 

Whofoevcrwill  reade  theAi^s  ofthcGcjDe- 

raill 


40  JM^feReyiew^E^iCcoipsLdc, 

rail  Councels,  and  credit  them  before  our  Late 
three  penny  Pamphlets  fliall  find  fcarce  any  men- 
tion of  any  Biiliops  without  Attributes  of  great 
honour,yet  had  they  then  fome  emulators,which 
i  Chryroftom.  in  Pfal.  ^^fi^^^e  calls  ^  Heretikes  that  have  learned  of 
13.  apudC'tfar:         the  Devill,  not  to  give  due  titles  of  Honour  to  Bi- 
na,on ;  an :  ^  8i.       y^^ .  ^hich  muft  not  be  fo  misinterpreted,  as  if 
hee  held  it  Herefie  to  deny  their  perfons  their 
dues,  but  that  it  tended  to  a  Vilification  of  Reli- 
gion.    Of  which  Chryfoslome  complaines :    Js 
chryfeflom :  a^.Hom.j  "^he  caufe  of  aiUvill,  that  the  Author  it  ie  of  Ecclefia- 
■   fiicdll  Rulers  is  ddcajed,    and  no  Reverence,   mho- 
Bom.  lit>.i.»«  Epiftol.  nour,  no  feare  is  yeeldedto  them,     Hee  (faith  hee) 
^.adTim.  fljjf  ^  Religioujlie  affe^ed  tothePrieH,   mil  with 

greater  Pietie  Reverence  God,  and  hethatdefpifeth 
the  Priefi,  commeth  by  degrees  to  this  atlaflj  that 
he  ivaxeth  contumeliofis  againjl  God  himfelfe. 

So  wee  perceive  here  was  neither  in  precept 

nor  pradife  any  interdi(5i:ion  or  difcontinuance  of 

^j^  due  honour  to  thofc  whom  Chrift  himfelfc  calls, 

%  Corin-V  ^^^  fi^f  of  the  earth,  the  ligU  of  the  rvorldy  whom 

I  Co«:imb,4«  the  Apoftk  calls  Embajfadors  for  ChriJi ,  An4 

Stewards  of  his  Hotife-hold,  whomthc  Holy  G ho fi 

in  the  Revelation  calls  Starres  and  Angels  of  the 

churches-^  whom  all  Primitive  times  reverenced 

with  the  Titles  of  Princes  and  Lords  •,  And  to 

whom  as  Minifters  of  the  Myfteries  of  our  falva- 

tion  we  owe  not  only  honour,  but  as  Saint  Paul 

dPhUemon  v.  ip.      fajes^  even  our  felves,  ^  whom  if  wee  neglect  or 

r  contemne,  as  God  faid  to  the Propliet ^^w/W, 

e  I  Samuel  8.  c  ^^^  reje^  not  thee^  but  me,  {^4ndof  whom  our 

Saviour 


A  hriefe  Reyleyp  of  Epifcopacici  4! 

Saviour  faith,  They  that  defpifeyouy  defpfe  me  %  ajjd 
they  that  defpife  we,  defpife  him  that  fent  me.  ^Cy-  .. 
prian  ^obferves  the  foune  of  alt  Schi fines  to  be  this,  .  q"*  .7'^,  Epift  $  ^; 
rvhen  the  Biftiop  xvho  is  but  one  and  governeth  the 
Church,  by  the  proud  prefitmption  ^  fome  is  con- 
temned* 


Scdi,  10, 

lArch'Bl  SHOPS  in  the  Primli 
tiye  times, 

T>Vt  if  thefe  Titles  weretobedifpens'dwithj 
••-'yet  this  fupreame  ufurpation  over  Biftiops^and 
all,  this  word  Jrch-Bifbop  is  an  Arch-Type  of  An- 
tichrili.  And  as  Eaton  delivered  in  his  Sermon, 
by  the  fame  reafon  any  man  can  prove  an  Arch-Bi- 
(hop  hee  will  prove  a  Pope :  Let  us  fee  if  that  had 
not  fome  foundation  in  Antiquity. 

That  Tittts  was  ordained  Arch-Bifhop  of 
Crete  is  already  proved  in  the  Epiftle  by  the  opi- 
nions of  Lyra,  Chryfoftome,  Brafrnpts  and  others ; 
And  Anacletus  (fecond  fucccffor  from  Veter  in 
the  Chaire  of  Rome)  as  Biihop  /w^//obfcrves, 
^  mentions  Areh-Bijhops,  which  is  as  much  as  firft  V^^rfJ^iefcaceeftlie 
Bifliop  or  Primate.  Chmh  Gorecnwos, 

Ambrofe  was  Arch-bifbop  of  Millaine,  as  is  tc-  . 

ftified  hyStrabo,  beingele(AedbyaiS^y??^^of  the 
Biihops,  as  was  the  manner  of  choofing  Metro- 

G  politans 


4a  A  brief e  ReVts'P^  of  Epifcopacie' 

C9ncil'.chalcedonA&.n  poHtans,  ^Valentinim  having  called  a  Synod  of  Bi- 

f^VfZ'JZM'fi'  'l'^">»  "/."  MarofoUtanferfwadesthem 
Mpijcoporum&confiteta  fo  be  carefull  of  their  choicc,  feeing  they  knew  rvhat 
lige,  Ejir^cp-ii  e:phefo-  ^^^^^^  ^f  p^rfon  hee  ouq-ht  to  bee,  ivho  is  accounted 
fiitutus.  rvorthieefthe<^rch-Priejthood.    The  Compilers 

rheodi  1. 4'c.  1-  ot  the  Centuries  plainly  confefTe,  ^  that  Ambrofe 
uetropokanmfmtpiu'  v^?iS^  MetrofolitanM'^^'''^gthe government  Of  many 
rum  con]Hn^a-fum  Ee-  comprovinciall  churches.  And  they  fl^ew  thac  thofe 
5/fr/Sgm^'''^'''*"  Overfeers  of  many  Churches,  were  called  Bifbops , 
Jbid.  4.  c  7.  ?  1 6.  fometimes  Arch-B/fhops^  fometimes  Metropolitanes. 
Epift:  symmchiisad  Synnmachus  Biflwp  of  Rome  vinzts  to  Laurent im 

LamentM  Tom:  Con.     ■'.n  r/  ^      r  ■»  «■  v  s  ,,r//  •  /i-r    ^ 

'Diiemfmo afq, bcatif-  B/jhop of  (the lame  Metropolis) MtlUine ♦,  Itihng 

fko  fratri  Laurentio ,  j^ini  his  ?^^/  /'^/v  and  belovcd  Brother  Laurence 

SJ^^'pf!  ^^'^'^^  Arch-Bifliop  of  the  Church  of  Millame.     Which 

fupreame  Title  Wvas  then  of  no  new  or  late  infti- 

tution,  for  in  the  firft  Generall  Councell  ofNice^ 

which  was  held  within  two  hundred  thirty  yeares 

€mU  %  Kic :  cap.  tf.  after  the  Apoftles  times  •,  It  was  acknowledged 

Metropolitans  and  Patriarchs  to  have  bin  long  in  ufe 

before  that  time.  And  they  confirme  the  Ancient 

Cuftome  of  (ubjedting  divers  Provinces  to  them. 

I'o  thefe  higheft  officers  in  the  Church  fome 

^lUulZodearul  of  the  Ancients  gavc  the  ftilc of  chicfcs  or Phh- 


primpes  corrigere  faia-  where  they  Cannot  correcf,  they  must  referre  the  cauje 
guntjedqiaaperfene-  to  the  ch'iefe  or  Prince^  that  is  (fayes  he)  ^/^^  Arch- 
si  '^prmcipem'lidcR)  Billiop,^j  whofe  Authority,  the  fin  mtisi  be  expiated, 
Anhi-spifcop.m,  cu]m  To  adde  further  proofes  of  the  Patriarchs  of 
§^u!^  ''"^'^'*'  ^^t'^(><^^^^  Alexandria,Ierufalem, ConBantinople,znd 
Other  places,  were  to  tyre  thofe  that  are  verfed  in 

iVnti- 


J  hriefe  ReVieyo  of  EpifcopSLcie,  '^-^ 

Antiquity  with  what  they  know  already.  And  it 
were  to  little  purpofe  to  vouch  fuch  abfolute 
Authority,  to  thofe  who  are  refolved  to  belceve 
none  ancienter  then  themfelves,  and  are  fo  wed- 
ded to  their  owne  fenfe  ^  So  habituated  to  looke 
on  things  prefenr^with  the  Spe(5tacles  of  humane 
and  naturall  reafon,that  the  old  eye  of  Hiftoricall 
faith  is  quite  dimmed  in  them :  Nay  would  they 
but  follow  the  light  of  iVature,  (which  is  yet  but 
a  blind  guide,)  they  might  fee  enough  to  finde 
that  Nature  her  felfe  affeSs  order,  which  cannot  ordo  eU  rerum  prtece- 
be  without  decrees,  which  muft  needs  imply  fu-  dentium  &coH(equeH- 
perioritie:  AsDu-Moulm  obferves,/.  ^v^  H  .u  ^j^T.k  '"*" 

wongli  the  Angels,  fo  Is  it  in  Common-Wealths,  in  ^ow/w^Confcflionof 
Armies^  in  Families,  yea  if  wee  defend  to  Bees  and  ^  ^"'^  /<>^'4®8^ 
Cranes,    wee  Jlull  not  fee  thefe  meaner  Creatures 
without  a  naturMl  plicie^  and  a  kinde  of  ftpri' 
oritie. 

Now  for  any  man  to  induce  hence  this  learn- 
ed concluiion,  becaufe  there  is  a  necefTity  that  for 
conferving  order  in  a  ftate  there  fhould  bee  feve-  . 
rail  Dioce^Tes,  and  to  regulate  thofe,  feverall  Bi- 
fliops,  and  to  unite  all  thofe  there  fhould  be  fomc 
one  Metropolitan  5  Ergo,  to  conne(5fc  all  thofe  Me- 
tropolitan heads  there  fliould  bee  one  univerfall 
Head  a  Pope,  is  as  abfurd  an  Inference,  as  to  fay, 
becaufe  it  is  neceflary  every  naturall  body  which 
are  diftind  bodies  fliould  have  a  head,  Ergo  they 
fliould  all  have  but  one  head :  or  becaufe  all  ftates 
are  beft  govern'd  under  a  Monarch.  Er^o,thci:c 
fliould  be  one  univerfall  Monarch. 

G  2  No      , 


44  -^  Mefe  ReVt^  of  Epifcopacic' 

Moulin.  conftJftQn  oj  No  faycs  Moulm  ingenuoufly.  There  are  noJhouU 
faith,  fol.  4op.  ^^^^  ofjlrength  enough  to  bearefo  great  a  head,  The 

providence  of  no  one  man  can  ftrctch  or  extend 
it  felfe  fo  fari'e,  or  divide  it  felfe  into  fo  many  pie- 
ces :  fuch  pernicious  pride  to  the  State  of  the 
Church  v^^as  never  cheriflied  in  Antiquity,  but 
withftood  by  all  the  firfl  General  Councells,and 
they  were  fo  farre  from  fupporting  thisPapall 
.     ,     -.  Vfurpation,  that  they  depofed  feverall  Popes,  As 

i^r^  ^*  t^''  ^^''''  ^^^  '^^^^ritieth  was  dcpoid  by  the 

i/ 6.  Counceil  Con-  Coimcell  of  Conik^ncc^  ^  Bomr/ffs  condemned  o£ 
^r^^TomV  cone-  ^^^{ft^^  and  his  bookes  burnt  by  the  fixth  Gene^ 
C^H'thage  p.  141.  '  rail  Councell :  '^  The  papacy  oppofed  by  the 
/Saint  Gregory  I.4.  ep:  Councell  of  Carthage  under  Cyprian.  ^  And  by 
%\'^Lovumrceienn,  Saint  Cr^^^^w  the  very  name  of  univerfallBiiliop 
HHiverfaiem  peftem  sc'^  inveighed  ^^^/;^i?,  OS  awicked  mw  mme,  £  auni- 
ciefue^cgrrupmnemfidei  ^^^A//  pU^ue  of  the  Church,  a  Corruption  offaith^ 
contra  carmeSi  contra         ■   rt   i    ^  •   n.  .1     4     /i/i^-  a 

VammApMum^con-  agamHtheCanons^agAinjttheJpftkVeiQX^agawfi 
traomnesscdefias.con-  God  Hmfelfcr  never,  (faicshe)  any  pious  man  of- 
T^l'^f:!rlT:u4''>"''ir"ch'^rMe,.cra«jofMrfredeccffors. 
jHfmoditituiiiufumeffc,  Now  for  full  aflurancethatthisfupreame  ju- 
NAita  pradccefhm  nfji^ftion  given  to  onewasfortheneceffarypo- 
Ecaivim  innitut:/.4.  licy  and  prcfervation  of  the  Church,  and  not  the 
1 4-  sed :  3.  effed:  of  Papall  pride,  Cahin  himfelfe  though  no 

$:iuZJ&'  g'Mt  friend  to  the  order,confefreth,when  writing 
bsntinter  spifcopos  Ar-  .of  the  State  of  the  Primitive  Church  before  Pa- 
ihupifcopum,  quod  item  p^cie,  whcrcin  he  obferves,  s  rhat  every  Province 
fiitutifuntTatriarcb^y  ^^^^  ^^^  Arch-Bijhop  amongU  their  Bijbops,  and  that 
qHtefentordine&dig-  in  the  Councell  of  \^\ct  were  approved  Patriarchs^ 

■;:^;;f:S&t  ^'"^''  P""'^  1'^ '«  "^^^^  andd,gmtk  dove  ^rch- 
(rafkrvationefcrtinebat  Bfjhops,    This  (fayes  he)  wos  fir  thc  C$nficration 


Jlbriefe%eyier^of  Epifcopacie^  ^t 

ef  Difirpline  and  good  government.     To  adde  to> 
this  were  fupcrfluoiis, 


Section  II.   . 

Late  (jreat  Writers  approved 
Bishop  s. 

BVt  admit  allAntiquitiewei'cbleere-ey'd, 
dimme-fighted,  and  as  the  Truth  of  the 
Word  was  onely  revealed  in  forn:ier  times, 
fo  the  truth  of  Difcipline  was  not  made  knownc  ^...u 

till  of  late-.  Let  us  not  examine  the  worft,  but 
the  beft  of  late  Writers,  whether  this  order  were  / 
fuch  an  eye-fore  to  them. 

Calvin  acknowledges,*. T-^^P^^/^^^^ry  chofe  one  «CaV:  De  fiatu  we- 
out  of  their  number,  (rvhombee  explaines  tobeesW  rueaiefaante^apat,' 
Min{{^^rso£thcv^o^d)torphomfpea^^^^ 

the  Title  of  a  Bijhop ,  that  of  equality,  asisufuall^  mmmmjunaume/at, 
difcord might  not  arife,  ^"  f>f»»"  nominabant 

But  did  Calvin  onely  confefTethe  name ,  and  ^Zmrl7npn\u]l*ttvl 
notking  of  the  ufe  of  Bifhops  ^  InhisEpiftleto  ?'»^''^'^^'»««»f%*4»r, 
the  King  ofPoland^hee  commends  the  patterne  ^£^J^ 
of  the  Primitive  times,  ZTiAadvifes  the  King  to  aquditate.ut  fienfoieh 
-place  Bijhops  in  every  Province ,  and  over  them  an  (^'fidianafcertntuu 
Jrch-Bijhop.  And  would  hee  advife  the  placing  llP^foh^^d^tgmt,^ 
offem  in  the  Church,  if  hee  were ,  of  the  minde 
.  G^  of.: 


45  ^  brltfe  Reyiei^  of  Epifcopacic. 

of  our  meri'^  who  hold  itfmne  to  heare  them  freach'^ 

Fatemur  ergo  Epifco^os    revcrentcr   mdimdos  , 

cor4cuum\nco,fef!i-"'^^^^'^  ^^^e,  I  corfejfe B^fjops  mtift  he  reverently 

one  seek  fie  Gallica.       heard. 

Or  whatc'  muft  wee  onely  heare  them  for  hu- 
d'E^x^'-adCArdxSi-  manity  fake^  No  fayes  hce^'Klftheyadrm  us 
dokt :  ftich  Hierarchy  wherein  Bijhopsfo  heare  rule ,  that 

raiem  rtohumemubi-  ^i^^.  ^^fj^f^  ^^t  to  hee  Sdje^  toChr/sL  What  then 

am  ft  cxhibeant  inqui        J     i  J  J 

emineant  npifcojfi :  ut  (iiall  wc  onely  admire,  and  not  obey  them^ 
chrino/ubejfenmrecu-  ^yhy  then  ffayes  heej  ^what  or  how  many  foever 
^NuUononAmthcmate  t hey  lee ,  that  mil  mt  fubie6t  themfelvestofuch  a 
dignes  cenfeo  qmquot  Hierarchy  ,  as  fubmits  itfclfe  to  Chrifl  IcfuSj  I  hold 
tmfoTfutbl'^Jt,  t^^^  ^^orthy  the  great  efi  ctirfe  that  may  bee, 
fubtjcinelufit. 

B  E  z  A  the  greateft  Champion  for  equality 
in  his  owne  little  Dominion ,  yet  declares  his 
/'J«^^^^W«[;^"-'»^Diflike  of  fuch   as    refift  Epifcopall   power, 
^Btz^degraxMinine-  ^  Where  it  is  ejlMjhed,  And  in  his  Treatife  of  the 
rijcap.a?.  .degrees  of  the  miniftcry ,  fpeaking  of  Bifhops, 

S'^'pSI«tr  heefayes,§.  Letthemenjoy  that  Government  that 
ft  ut  httnc  ordinem  te*  jvill,  and  may  ^  God forbid  that  Ifbould  either  rajhly 
mere  autfuperbe  repre-  ^y  arrogantly  reprovt  that  order. 

h  Buccr.  Traciat  de  re- 
fern :  Ecciifa:  Tom:      ^tfcer  who  was  3  great  Reformer,  holds  his 
:^Sr.iLTX'  "^Wefe  Endeavour  muft  hccKTht  Mlmamerof 
€aommprocuratmis  EccUfiaflieall  Government,  which  the  Canons  fre- 
tcckftte  ratio  &ordi'  fcribcy  unto  Bilhops  and  Metropolitans,  heereliored 

natio,  qitam  C^nonesJ     j       ■       •     j    ^  '•  '' 

^plfcofU&Metropoht.  ^n^^^t^t^t^^^> 
pi'<efcribunt,  refiifHetur 

isi-fervetur.  And  hec  givcs  Very  good  reafon  for  this  de- 

firc. 


lAbriefe%e'y>ie'Svof  Epifcopacie^  47 

iire,  in  another  place,  where  he  confelTes'.  That  i^^^^^-deMegno  chfifii 

by  the  perpetual/  ohfervation  of  the  Church  even  from      *  *'  ^^' }  *' 

the\j4fojlles  themfelves  j  we  fee,  jtfeemedgoodto 

the  Hclj  Ghoft ,  that  amongfi  the  Presbpers,  one 

fiould  have  the  fingular  Charge  of  the  Chmchcs^  i 

and  in  that  Charge  and  care  governe  all  others, 

for  whkh  canfe  the  very  name  ^/^  B  I  S  H  O  P 

rvas  Attributed  to  the  chiefe  Covernours  of  Chnr-  ^,      ^  ^ 
-  -*  -^  cbim',  De  Oecum  pon^ 

CheS*  tlfice  lib.  To.  cap.  y . 

84.  Ergo  fuerunt  Scelt" 

The  Icimcd  Chamier  acknowledges,   that  ^^^fZ^l^;^. 
fuch  were  the  beginnings  o^ Eccleftaflicall  Policie,  mm,  quific  in  commu- 
rhat  out  of  the  company  of  the  Presbj'ters  n'/;/^/'  Zlfmm'S^'7 
did  adminifter  in  the  Church  one  %va^  eleBed  who  on^^ilm  pr'mia  e(j'ct,& 
fjjould  bee  chief e  of  all  the  reli,  and  was  called  Bi-  spifcop^djcerctur. 

In  Zanchi^hcf'.dercfor- 

Inop.  pimd'.  Ssclefiarumra- 

tlone . 

ZmcU  holds  them  all  (attefimg  before  God  ^^^S""  »X 
and  his  Conicience)  Worthie  no  other  efleeme  but  habere  loco,  qu am  (cbif- 
of  Schifmatiques,  who  in  reforming  the  Church  '"■^^'"'''^^  ^^j^^  "^""^ 
would  have  no  Bilhops,  which  may  bee  placed  in  a  £p}fiopos  authoritatis 
degree  of  Eminence  and  K^uthoritie  above  their  graduy  &c. 
fell«.  Presbyters,  r^herc  they  may  he  had:  For  S'/eSS{^ 
rvhofoever  obferves  (fayes  hcc)  the confent  of  all  DiverfosgradmTrefbj- 
times  and  places  even  to  this  Age,  and  follow es  •"'''''T^J;^Jp'^^f/)y* 
the  ufe  and  fence  of  the  Church,  wjll  eafly  under-  ^^£a  l]jl}ec°u'dumvei 
ft  and  that  according  to  the  ''f  ord  of  God,  there  both  vctburn^  &  femft/fu- 
«W..;..M.«rf/^<.rf.^m../BiflTOpsWPref-£^f}r;^:*:fi 
bytcrs  tn  the  Government  of  the  C  h  u  r  c  h  •,  ubkungj  iniquities  tem-  - 
Therefojre  where  they  flourifli  they  muft  not  f '^^^'^^X^^'^^^'^  ^-^^  ^ 
in  any  kindc  bee  aboliflied,  and  where  ever  the  ''^^ '  ^ " 

iniquity 


48  *^  ^^^^fi  ReVie'^  0/ Epifcop«cie. 

Iniquity  of  the  times  hath  aboliflied  them,  they 

muftbereftored. 

//  «f   .  ^.  ;./<>-  M  E  L  A  N  c  T  HON    Prophetically  com- 

jliigi  pag  J  jof .         pJaines  •,  /  would  to  God  tt  lay  in  mee  to  re  (tore  the 

Government  of  Bifliops ,  /  doe  fee  that  hereafter 

will  grow  a  greater  Tyramie  in  the  Church  theh 

ever  before, 

Nay  our  owne  late  difcontents,  the  thoufand 
Minifters  in  King /4we^  his  time  were  not  at  fuch 
enmity  with  the  order,  but  they  held  ic  a  Schifme 
to  deiire  their  aboHtion. 
Petition  of  icoo.  Mi-         Wee  the  Vli  ^  is  t  iB.^  s  of  the  GofpcU/;^ 
eiiftcrstoKingiawM.    this 'Land,  neither  a^  faEilom  men  affeBing  a  jfo- 
ptUr  farity  in  the  Church,  nor  as  Schifmatiques 
ayming  at  the  dijfolution  of  the  State  ECC LE- 
SI  ASTIC  A  LL^   hut  as  the  faithfuU  fervants 
^/CHRIST  and  Loyall  Sttbje&s  ,  &c.  If 
there  bee  then  fuch  a  confent  of  all  Late  wri- 
ters of  any  Authoritie  in  the  Church,  what  is 
now  the  quarrell  i    Why  yet  thefe  arc  indeed 
but  fingle  mens  opinions  5    But  they  cry  loudly 
out,  'tis  otherwife  now  in  other  the  Reformed 
Churches. 


^i(hofs 


Ahriefc  R^W^o/Epifcopacic»^  4^ 


Se6^ion  12. 

Bishops  approyed  hj  %e^ 
formed  Churches. 

ZK^nchie  fwhofc  opinion  I  late  recited)  zanck.-.Tom.-r.fjgj. 
delivers  not  this  as  his  fingle  fenfe.  I  had  f»'^  mm  pr^tercAhi- 
nkmfe  ffayes  hec)  m  ccnf.demwn  thofi  *::^r";r&« 

Other    C  H  V  R  C  H  E  S,    which  though  they   EvangeUum    ampkxtt 
have  embraced  the  Gofpcll,  setretaine  (It li,  both  ^"^^^  (Mstamn  &re 

J  J    J  n  J  K^  \    T>         &nommeejtfcop9s,atq, 

m  name  am  deed  n  i  s  hops  and  Arcn-J5  i-  Anhiepifcepos  minue- 


S  H  OP   S, 


runt. 


*M  E  L  A  N  c  Ta.Oii^{2LSCani€rariusoh(Qrvts)  »  cmerar'm  in  vUm 
notonely  bytheconfentjbutby  the  advice  of  ^W.'Melana. 
Luther  perfwaded  that.  If  Bijhofs  would  grant  free 
ufe  of  the  true  doctrine ,  the  ordinary  power  and  ad- 
mini  ftration  over  the  fever  all  Diocejfes  jhould  bee 
reftoredtothem.     And  Melan5ihon  hiniielfe  wri- 
ting to  Luther  fayes  ^yoti  will  not  heleevt.  hojv  fome  ^  HIttor  •  Aagt  Conf. 
dee  hate  mee  for  relioring  the  jurifdiBion  to  Bi-  W3o^« 
ihops. 

.      Luther  the  Vehement  inveigher  againfl: 
Topifh  Bifliops,  which  hee  calls  fluggifh  beafts, 
and  flow  Bejlies,  gives  this  Caveat,  ^  Let  no  man  cjl.atheMi 
thinke  that  what  isffoken  againft  thofe  Tyrants  is 

H  ffokei$ 


56 '  ^  ^^^h  R^'^i^^  of  Eplfcbpacic; 

fpoken  againH  the  Ecclefiafiicall  State  and  true 
Bifhops  or  good  Pafiors  :  And  as  in  the fe  men 
thediflikeof  EPISCOPJCIE  was  not  at  the 
order,  butbecaufe  as  then,  the  dominion  of  the 
Pope  was  over  all,  and  they  could  have  none 
but  Popifh  BISHOPS  •,  fo  was  it  in  the  Augu  - 
ftaff  Conf'eflion,  who  entred  their  Protellationin 

^Apolj  ConfctT:  Aug:  thefe  words.   '^ 

pcrp«p  :  page  137.  jy^^  ^^^  f^^^^  proteslj  and  rvee  would  have  it 

fo  recorded  J  that,  wee  would  rv/llingly  preferve  the 

Ecclefiafticall  rfWOnonicallPolicie,  ffthe'Ri- 

jdm.Hifl  :  covjejf :  fhops  would  ceafe  to  tyrann/ze  over  our  C\\mk\\cs. 

Aug :  per  ch]/tr :  pio?:  This  our  m'mde  or  dejire  fhali  excufe  us  with  a/lpo- 

fteritie,  both  before  GOD  and  all  Nations,  that 

it  may  not  bee  imputed  to  tu ,  that  the  ^utho- 

ritie  tf/"  B  I  S  H  O  P  S   is  overthrowne  by  m : 

profefllng  clearely,   wee  doe  not  in  any  kinde 

9  Apol:  Conf:  Aug :  oiflike  the  Authoritieof  Bishops,  ""  fo  they 

peychjti:j6^,  _:      would  not  coynp'ell  m  to  doc  againf  Gods  Comman- 

dermnisi  • ; 

The  Prince  oF  Anhalt,  groaning  under  the 

/  cmhn  J   <imi ;  opn^effion  of  the  Popifli  BISHOPS.  ^ would 

to.  GOB   (fayes  he-jC;/    Thofe  which  carry  the 

'r(0 *r.iA'mn t-^  '  mrnesof^^i:^  «vQ ?.^  .  %V€uld  (J)ew  themfelves^i- 

ifqumU  0P^>^?>'^^  flipps./WWi  C) .  qiiamlibenter,  _^c.     Oh  how 

4w?&<^^  ""^^*  f '   willingly,  and  with  what  joy  of  heart  would  wee 

receive  them  for  pur  Vti  shops.  Reverence,  O- 

'h.m  them,],    and  wld  them  their  iurifdiciion  and 

pramatfo/fj  which  wee  alwaycs,  and  L  u  t  h  e  r 

both  in  words ^  and  m  his  writings  very  often  fro- 

So 


So  that  the  reafon  wee  fee  fwayed  with  ^ 
thofe  Reformed  C  h  ur  c  h  b  s  was  that  they 
wa-e  not  free  States ,  but  fubordinate  to  the 
Pope,  nor  could  bee  clearely  rid  of  the  Popifh 
Bifliops  ^  but  they  were  forced  to  leave  5 /- 
SHOPS^  becaufe  they  could  not  have  thofe 
that  were  Orthodoxe^  not  becaufe  they  did  not 
like  them  at  all. 

For  notwithftanding  all  that  Clamour  which 
is  made  of  the  Reformed  Churches  (and  is  but 
fallacy ,  if  it  bee  well  looked  into)  it  -will  bee 
found  of  the  Reformed  Churches^  many  of 
them  doe. flill  retaine  BISHOPS,  and  not  a  ^ 

third  p-ait  hath  received  the  Prefbyterian  Dif- 

cipline.     ^  .        ti  i- 

As  ^fmarkCy  Norway,  SueviA ,   all  G  e  k-  Downham ./.  47:1  jo. 

M  A  s  I  E  except  fome   ''few  parts-.     All  the 

''  Churches  in  the  mtchifs  ot  Saxony,  Bnmf       bilion, 

"  mcke,  and  Limenbttrg,  The  Dutchies  o^  Mega^ 

"  lobtirg,  Wirtemberg',  All  the  Churches  with- 

''  in  the  Countreys  of  the  Mnrqucffes  of  Bran- 

«  denburg,  and  of  Bade.     The  Churches  in 

«^  the  Earldomes  of  fiemeberg,  Smrtzenberg, 

"  Lennings ,  Hannarve,  MansfeiU,  Oetmgh,  Stal- 

"  bergh,  Glich,  RheMerne^  Leonfiine.  And  in  the 

"■'  'Biwnksoi'  Leitjferg,  Schenburg,  Wildenjieldy 

"  whereunto  may  bee  added  all  the  Churches 

"■'  in  at  leaft  thirtie  free  Citties,  many  of  theic 

Territories  ^s  Ample  as  GenevAy^^iich.  have  none 

of  them  received  the  Presbyterian  difciplinc  5 

Some  perhaps  have  fuperintendents  differing  on- 


jiZ  A  hriefeRe>idi  of  Efifcopticiel 

!y  in  name,  from  Bifhops,  nothing  in  power. 
To  which  take  in  E  n  o  l  a  n  d,  and  Ire- 
land, which  alone  being  well  confidered  will 
bee  found  to  containe  more  reformed  Churches, 
then  are  fubje(5i:ed  to  a  Presbytery  in  all  for- 
raigne  parts. 

Yet  many  of  us  fwallow  this  fuggeftion,  that 
all  Reformed  Churches  are  fo  govern'd,  with 
as  much  eafc,  as  wee  beleeve  that  all  the  Apo- 
files  and  Primitive  times  were  ruled  by  Lay- 
Elders,  when  as  I  have  faid  before,  neither  can 
Scripture  or  Antiquity  fo  much  as  prove  the 
word,  nor  out  of  either  did  I  yet  ever  fee  produ- 
ced any  one  probable  inference  fi|r  it,  not  any 
thing  to  induce  beliefe,  but  fuch  ^J^  aflertion 
is,  (that  it  is  fo  in  other  reformed  Churches)  con- 
fident untruth  •,  And  inftead  of  feeking  fatisfadi- 
on  from  Antiquity,  this  blind  confidence  leadcs 

Tfkepbi  lib.  18.  c.  49.  many  into  the  old  rejeded  Herefies  of  the  Con- 
tebaptites  tvhich  allowed  noBifhops.  Many,  too 
many  revert  to  that  great  Aerian  Herefie  con- 
demned long  fince ,  that  all  iJiiiniBers  mufi 
bee  equallj  and  I  doubt  the  motive  is  the  fame  to 
them  which  moved  him  •,  Saint  w^»y?/;^  obferves, 

•  Ausit^i  de  Hjcref '  "^  ^^^^  h<^h^  difcontenthcmiftof  a  Bifhopricke. 

ite/r.j^.  °  *  ^'/fW^if  fell  into  this  Herefie  ♦,  Tresbyterumah  Bpif- 

L'opo  nulla  differentia  difcerni.     And  I  bcleeve 

:  their  difcontent  (truly  lifted  j  is  the  fame,  they 

!  would  bee  all  Bijhofs :  I  am  furc  they  claimc 

more  independent  power^  then  ever  ^/^^/j  had, 

fviz.) 


A  hriefe  R  e^iew  of  Epifcopacic.  j  5  ^ 

(viz.j  That  every  f articular  Elderjhi^  is  (aninde-  B<t'idcpresbyt:fiz4 
fendentbody)  theTr'ibmall  of  ChriH, 

Now  that  this  glorious  Tribumll^ChriHs  king-         Mo-ion  />.  4. 
dome,  Gods  Government y  which  fliould  have  con-         Mocion  f.  34. 
linued  till  the  ends  of  the  world,    fliould  bee 
wholly  fupprelTed  by  the  Immediate  fucccfTors 
of  the  Apoftles,  by  all,  the  Ancient  Fathers  ^  and 
Martyrs  who  fo  freely  laid  downe  their  lives  for 
the  propagation  of  the  Gofpell,  and  that  itt  ne- 
ver found  Advocate  in  all  the  firfl  Gerurrail        v -ni  u  ( . 
Councells,  (Where  never  fate  Lay-Elder,)  And  s^l'^Uiu  aW.^  * 
that  This  Scepter  whereby  C  h  r  i  s  t  ahne  rtdes 
amongfl  meny  was  never  advanced  ;   Th^t  this 
*  tare  ell  of  the  vers  Cub  fiance  of'GiffpelLwthout,''^-^-  '  *P-  *47. 
ivmch  there  caj^  be  no  right  Reugim    was  never  re-      ^  ^        ' 
vealcd  till  1500.  yeares  after  Chrift-,   I  mtift 
needs  (ay  'tis  all  of  it  cither  f^alde  tm^r^babik,  idt. 
Magnum  Myferium. 


H  3  Sea. 


54  lAbriefe  Revie'9i>  of  Epifcopactc. 


Se<51:ion  13. 

How  Epifcopacie  hath  beene  approloed  ty 
the  Ancient  and  euTtomary  Lawes  of  thu 

L  AND, 

"D  Y  thcfe '  evidences  of  Scripture ,  f<ithers , 
^*-^Councells,  Hiftory,  and  Moderne  Writers, 
having  thus  deduc'd  the  inftitution.  Authority 
and  continuation  of  this  Epifcopall  order  from 
the  Apoftles  to  theprefent  ♦,  It  is  in  the  lafl:  (not 
leaft  j  place  confiderable,  whether  fuch  a  degree 
be  confonant  tOjOr  confidant  with  the  La\yes  and , 
Government  of  this  Land  and  people.  And  iii 
that  confideration  I  beleeve  it  will  appeare  ratheV 
fo  intertexted  with  our  lawes,  that  it  cannot  well 
be  fever'd,  then  any  way  oppofite  to  them. 

The  perfons  themfclves.  The  Jrch-Bijhops , 
and  Bijhops  (the  Clergiej  as  it  were  incorpora- 
ted'into  one  and  the  fame  body  with  us  (the  com- 
mon-wealrh)our  liberties  and  theirs  ftand  and  fall 
by  the  fame  right  and  Cuftome,  by  one  and  the 
fame  Rule  and  Law,  yet  farre  be  it  from  me  to 
prefume  to  give  any  pofitive  opinion  in  this, 
which  I  confeffe  is  much  above  my  capacitie.  I 
fliall  only  colled  fuch  authorities  as  feeme  to  give 
them  a  ratification  by  our  moft  Ancient,  Cufto- 
mary,  fundamental! ,  Common,    and  Statute 

Lawes 


'iAbriefe%eyief0of  Epifcopacie.  55 

Lawes,  and  by  the  Kings  moft  ancient,  legall  ; 

prerogative,  which  I  fubmit  to  the  coniideration 
of  netter  judgments.  '\ 

The  great  prefervative  of  this  Common- 
;   wealth,  the  patron  of  our  liberties,  is  that  anci-  \ 

ent  fapreame  pow^r  of  Parliaments,  which  hath 
ever  given  Lawes  to  the  Nation,  liberty  to  the 
people,  fince  the  firfl:  Inftitution  of  Mtinicipall 
Lawes  by  the  confent  of  the  people:  Though 
hefore  any  Judiciallor  Mimcipall  Lawes  rvere,  Kings  "'  '^^'"^  *  ^^^' '  * '' ' 
did  decide  caufes  according  to  natiir  all  equity  ^  and  f^H'li  JEneed.7. 
were  not  tyed  to  any  rule  or  formality  of  Law,  hut  did 
dare  Ittraj  as  it  is  in  the  Poet,\ 

Hoc  Priami  geftamen  erat,  cum  jura  vocatis 
More  daret  ^opulis^ 
Yet  fince  Chriftianity  came  amongft  us,  and 
this  Nation  became  regulated  by  Lawes,  Sir  Ed-  sii-  ^J'^f^^^P'^^f-^ 
i9ard  Cooke  oblerves,    that  by  the  an<:ient  Lawes  of  i^^ta leget  hujtn regni 
this  Realme,  this  Kingdome.(vJ2iSteduc'6)ii'\toan  riKtiqn^,  hoe  Argti<e 
nbfilme  Momrchie  cmfifting  of  mc He^d.whMis  ^f^"Z^. 
the  King^  and  of  one  body  foliticke  compali  and  com-  cbta  ,exhno  capitc.yh . 
pounded  of  mam  land  almosi  infinite  fever  aU)yct  well  ^%^>  ^  ^^  '=fP°^^  f" ' 

J  -'  /'  „      r-  t      t     ,  1       V  7  •         hticoc  maao&'  com- 

agreetng  members,  all,  watch  the  Law  diviaeth  tnto  pofno  ex  mcmhtU  dif- 
tw0  feverall  partSj  that  is  to  fay.  The  Clergie  and  tinUu,  &c.  ^am- 
JLaitie,  hothof  them  next  and  immediately  under  God  rlm&UU^Jh^^l 

'  ^fuhjeBy  and  obedient  to  the  head,  Alfo  the  Kingly  hdui  &c. 
of  this  foliticke  body  is  infiitHted  with  plenary  and 
intire  power ^  prerogative,  and  lurifdiiiion  toren- 
Mr  luTlice  and  right  t/f  every  pjirt  and  member  of  th/s 

t'hffdy  in  ail  caufes  Ecclefrajiicall  or  TempOrall,  other- 

:'i»ifihe  pHiHldm  be  a  heakofthewhole  body, 

''-'  And 


5^  ^Mefereyic'^ofE^i(co^2iciG] 

fie  *^thc  nimh  Re-  ^"^  ^'^  ^^^^  ^'^^^^  Councdl^great  Court,Gene- 
port.  '^   rail  Colivention  or  Court  of  Parliament  ffeveral- 

Ego  jna,   Del  gravi  \y  fo  called }  The  Arch-BiOiops,  and  Bifliops  (the 

Weft  SixoHttm  Rex  :ex-  Ai^,    -vu  r^j^u-j  c  \  - 

imtationc  &T>oa'ma  Clefgie)  havc  ever  reprelcnted  a  third  part  of  this 
ceraedes  vatru  nei ,  Monarchick  Body,  being  prefent  at  and  confenti- 
&  Hedccs  Ei>ifcop;mei  ^nt  to  the  making  of  all  thofe  lawes  which  have 
eopi  mi,  &c.  emKium  bin  conltituted  tor  the  preiervation  and  govern- 
/Kdremimrum  &sc-  mcnt  of  the  whole  politicke  body :  As  may  ap- 
nimd/olutui",  &t\  P^^rc  by  the  moft  Ancient  Records  extant  of  any 
pro  jiabiiiiate  &  cm-  great  Counccll  or  Parliament.  Sir  Edward  Cooh 
fumatione  popurtmet,  obfeHTs  that  1(^77  Im  who  mianed  almoft  a 

Sit  hdvpird Coolie \)xt-  r         '^t  i-  P  i  ' 

face  to  the  ninth  re-  1 00°  yeares  lince,  vegan  his  Parliament  thu4  :  I 
P«^  ^  Ina  bj  the  grace  of  Cod^  King  of  the  Wcfi  Saxons,  by 

fohTi  r.'  '  '""^'^  ■  advice  and  counfell  of  Cenredes  {my  father)  and 
K^uiphRexftr  liter  oi  Heddcs,  and  Erken-wald,  my  Bijl)ops,  and  all  my 
P^c"t.  con\iiio  &  Con-  NobU-men  and  mfemen  of  wy  kinzdome^  have  con- 
Senatorum  gcntjs  fua,  ptuted,  Scc.  for  the  jet  ling  and  Jafety  of  my  people, 
largim  fun  monaHe-  ^c.  Here  wc  fee  the  Sijhovs  were  Counfellors  in 
Ser?&^'"fU"e-^^e  generall  Councell  forthefafctyof  thepeo- 

pi/capali  lutein Jempi- ^i-€. 

tern,  effcquieu  j/^^  /^^^  Parliament  (heobferv^s;  w.as heldby 

Offa  King  of  the  Mercians,  Wij'  Ethelbert  King 

of Kcnu  and  the  relief  the  feven^^ngs  during  the 

*  ^t  cbmaeoiueff*  Heptarchy .  ,^ 

Muames^'io. ionfir-        y^ft^j.  ^^  Heptarchy ,  Anno  755'.    whichi  is 

ex  qua  perfpicuum  «/i  almoft  900  yearcs  fince.  King  Keml^h^hyme 
regechartafuainPar-  Counfell  and  confcnt  of  his  Bi{liops,and  $ena- 
tiT&Vn)t}%?fc,'-  ^o^s  of  h*5  Nation,  grants  to  the  MonaBery  q£ 
p»rum  &  fenaio,  urn  Abingdon  to  be  free  fro  mall  EpifQG»palljurirdi(Sti- 
lentis  fua.qu^in  ^ar-  qj^  a .  whicH  charter  was  after  confirmed  W-King 

ferves 


Abriefe  ]R^'))/^o/Epifcopaci6  ff 

ferves,  appeares  to  bee  made  by  the  confent  of  the 

Bishops  and  Senators  then  ajfembledmVdX'  ^icr,j  4fedt>»ltit 

iiament;*  na  per  ulagcpctpauet, 

K  ,  K  o  A  L  P  R  B  D  ^««^87i.  ordained  |r/*'«/f/»*« 

for  a  perpetuall  wage,  ^tnattwile  in  the  yeare  per  pariia*rtHter  furk 

they  fliould  afTemble  to  treat  in  Parliament  of  the  g^^tfcf^eit  <^«  K"/'^* 

government  of  the  people  of  God,  how  they  c.f'sfJ?7-° 

fliould  keep  themfelves  from  finne.  f  Cookes  iiHic><?n/i» 

In  the  ^reM Parliament holden by Kinj^Athel'  ^^^f''*''/'  R''<1»' 

(tan  *  (who  reigned  about p2o.;  /t^Grateley,  t^  nodumdmnio.dinu^ 

-particularly  mentioned.     The  Arch-Biihop  Wolf  ^f-nh  apud  London 

helme,  with  the  Noblemen  andWifemen  which  King  [TJ^'sbilnm^^irEd^' 

Athelftan  called  together.  ward  Cooks  Pet/iwr* 

Kin^  Edmund  ^  (who  lived  Anno  ^40.  thcmnth^Kzi^xt. 

had  leverall  Parliaments ;  quat  Ed :  T^ex  &  e- 

In  one  by  his  Writ  he)  fummoned  the  great  Sy-  P'f^opi/uicum  fapknti- 

nod  ofCleargie  men  and  Lay  men  at  London :  Ano-  pudcnhnfoinS.  *' 

thcr  of  his  P  A  R  L  I A  ME  NTS  beginneth  ^s^Edm  .-Kexmaad: 

|.u..-  &prtecipio  omni  popU' 

'  ,   ^  /     ,  /» •  r-r^  %  f  ,  /»,  &c.  Cum  lapientibui 

Thefe  arethelnjtttiitwnsof  Edmund Ktngmd  cuicU  &Laicu  ibid. 

i5'^Bifhops,*iv^/fi^^^  Wifemenmade  at  Culin-  Ego  Edgar  Bafiieui^n- 

1  *  glorum  &  Imperator 

C^^P*  ,  Reg.  gcntiutriy  cu- 

In  a  third  he  directs  his  writs  ,  To  all  hispeo-  pu  confenfu,  &prkei' 

ple,as  wellClear7ie,  as  lay  men.     After  him,  Anno  ^r  ^  -<''«^^'«'f «« 

-t     '       ,,  ,         „^        rx-      \       1         f^  '    /-   /  banc  mam  muntficcn- 

^43  :  Edgar  A'/;?^  of  England,  and  Emperor  of  the  tiam  pgvn  crucU  corro- 

Kingly  Nations^  &c.  by  the  confent  of  his  Princes  boroycgo-DunltanArch, 

and  Prelates  y  confirmes  his  grant ;  71?  which  Dunflan  (irco.fenfi  o-fut^rC^. 

Arch-Bifhop  of  Dover  confents  and  fnbfcnbes.  'idm ;  oUiwU  ^rcbi- 

And  Ofticell  Arch-Biflm  cf  Yorke  the  Ike,  &c.  mfcop :  s^.^ace^fis. 

With  Duke  A  If  en  eke,  D'.'.ke  Br'fthuod ,   Duke  Bruthuodouxj  Arid- 

Aridgar,  &c.  who  all  confent  and  fubfcnbc*  garuux  •  &c.  c  iok» 


5  8  A  hriefe  R(?v<VT»?t>/^EpifcopacicJ 

Here  they  dldnotfubfcribe  as  Teftes,biic  Con- 
^tmhntt:si  King' ^xhddxtd  held  a  P^rliamem  at 
I.Srr  i^ari    cookt  Wood-ftocke  ^{Annog-jg.)  BpheCounfellofhis- 
Frtfflce.  Cleaygie  andLa:cks.     But  the  mod  fpeciall  piece 

^  of  Antiquity  before  the  Conqiiefl  is  of  that  great  ■ 

^/L'i^rr^Jw  P/liament  held  by  that  great  King  C4;;/.ffKin^ 
nm  desremum  qut  <?r  England,  Denmark  rfW Norway,  ^ahundreal 
^no  1 1^0  futf.cora-  and  thirty  y cores  before  the  Compiling  of  the  ^r eat 

platiy    tn  Cuo  publico     ,      ^        /    ,.  t /t     ^     r  ^      i"^    ^  ^    r 

parbAmtnto^rjtiiehu-  Charter ^iTi  his  jiubhK€ PmiamentyWhere tvcre perjo^ 
iju  perfominer  at  tt-  na/If  prefent  Wtxl^oii  and  Adclnodc  Jrch-B7P)opf,. 
nJdo%cT,cy^coT&  "^^^  Ail  win  S/%^/Elmhanenfe,-»y/>^i>M^rBi- 
^}kpm  e>i(capoEim-  (h'^ps^feve^  Dukes,  as  many  Earles,  wthmanj- 
hamfife  &  ar,jj  E^^i-  Kiiights  tmammtih  canfentm^  ■  rvith  thh  Kin^s^ 
cum  totkem  ComttbM,  Votes.  In  which  the  Monaftery  or  Saint  EanHtnd 
Cum  pinrimii    Gre-  wasexempt fromEpifcopaU  jnrifdi(5iion. 

tientibHi,  &c. .  confent  of  iEgclnode  Af ch-BifiiOpi!/  ( Dover,  nm « 

Jiiudru  7L^*  H^^^-  of)  Canterbury,  and  Jlfrkkd  Atch-bifliop  of 
favore  Agtincd :  Do-  1  ovkc^  and  the  voycej  Of  Other  Riihops,  ana  Of  all  6- 
r9beren(is,nunccantu-  therth^  Lay-Princes,  the  former  Charter  woi  confir- 

^Z^^sX'^it^r-  ^^^-  ^"  ^"  which' wee  fee  the  5//^^;/ were  thert 
cfipohfo  fupiig',  nee  prefent  and  confeoting,  likewife  in  the  old  TraifV 
voacHnaarSmwrn-  ^^lyj  Modustenend.  Parliament,  m  th^tmcof 
roborav}t,eic,  cooiifs  Edivard  the  Conrcflor.  The  Aflembly  is  let 
Preface  lothenii.th  forth  to  conlift  of /^^'  Holy  men  (the  Bijljops:) 
Lcms.  sdtv  i  cap.io.  ^^^  Aldermen  J  the  Nohlemen^andthe  Wfemen,  viz.- 
Rfxautmcjuiviciiriui  tht  Knight SyCiti^ens 3:\nd  Bitr^effes : 
fn.,mFcgucif,ad^o^        And  in  the  Lnwes ox :Edmrd±t  Confcffoi: 

tonsiUuttn  eft  ht  teg-  .       ,  .         ..1,  •      ^     r   t        • 

»/(Wc//>*/«'/<wz)ff»i-,amongit  others,  is  principally  recited  otthe  Ktng^ 
nl,&fuDtr  omnia  fan ■  ^lj(f  is^Gods  Vicar,  IS  ordawed to  this  end. 

^JieniiatML  ^'^^'       '^^^^  ^^  P^^^  ruktlTe  Kingdofne  and  the  people  of 

our/ 


cut  Lord^  and  above  ail  the  Holy  Church,  and  defend 
the  fame.  Which  lawcs  of  St.  Edward  were  by  a  » 

liiry  of  1 2.  difcreet  men  in  every  County  ifivorne 
Tjeith^r  to,  flatter  frerogativti  nor  extend privUedge) 
prefcnted  at  the  command  of  the  Conqueror,an<l  ^^  j  .gui^i,^  ^t^^e 
'by  Atdred  Arch*Sfjhop,  and //«^^  Bifhop  of  X.W-  Crowiamienfe  txlibn 
don  compofcd  into  a  Magna  chart  a,  and  by  him  ra-  ^»»'««^'^*'»  *^««« 
tificd  Jirmiter  (^Inviolaifiliter  ohfervand :  which 
priviledges  being  violated  by  William  Rufuf,-wevc 
reftored  ty  Henry  the  frjt  cemmanding-aU  the  Lam  sx  K^er»   vnedm 
€f  King  Edwavd  to  he  ehferved :  hndKiagflenyy  ^  «"''•   j^"**^^  ^ 
thefecond,  ^«;;<?  11S5.  Calls  a  Parliament  of  hi4  c^IsE^fits- f^t- 
Ckrgie  and  feople  with  ail  his  Nohilitie,  Andconr  povt.  H.  i..c9nvccd. 
frmestc  God  and  to  theChurch,tohtf  Barons  andfub-  *'"/'"''"l''^i,t '^il 
je6fs,  all  grants,  lihcrttes^ana  free  cuftomes  rvh/ch  lUate  adftntmdm- 
Henry  his  Grandfather  had  granted  unto  them.    In  eorum,scc. 
the  Sixth  of  King  lohn,  a  Parliament  was  held hy  ln%^lu /,'i^Tpli?' 
the  confent  of  his  Arch-Bifhops,  Earles,  Barons,  tmum^i$mitumMro- 
md  faithfull  ri4bjec7s  of  Enghnd.   And  in  the  fe-  ^um  ^ommum^ua. 
venteenthor  Kinglobn^  outof  theanctent  Lams  Cookci^.-  .K§p. 
formerly  compiled  and fele^ed  (by  Edward  the  con-  ^""^  •  P»"*  ,K»4tf . 
feffor,  OHt  of  the  Huge  heape  of  the  Lawes, which  cwk^VKf/^cc  thud 
the  Britans,  Romans,   Englifli,  and  Doncs  had  P^efort, 
made)  was  ahftra^edthat  great  Charter  of  our  Li- 
berties calCd  Magna  Charta.     Which  was  divul- 
ged and  ratified  by  King  Henr^  the  thifd,in  thcfe 
words.     FirH  we  have  granted  to  God,  and  by  this 
our  prtfent  Cnarter  have  confirmed  for  us  and  our  9.  h:,.j. 
heyres  for  ever  •  that  the  Church  of  England  ^aH  Maina  Charn.   . . 
he  free,  and  jhallhave  all  her  whole  rights  andltber- 
titsinvfol4bk» 

T  2  Now 


6&J  A  hruft  ReVte^  of  EpifcopacicJ 

Now  whether  their  right  of  ElTence,  that  Is,of 
being  members  of  this  publike  body,  whether 
their  inrereft  in  Counctll  in  the  inftitutioh  of  the 
Lawes  to  Rule  this  body,  have  not  through  all 
thefe  prefidents  of  Antiquity  feem*d  to  walke 
hand  in  hand  with  us,  orif  thcysppearenotto 
have  had  the  fame  prefcription  for  the  fame  fun- 
damentalls  of  their  liberties  as  other  fubjedts 
have  5  Is  to  me  (I  confefle)undiftingui{h'd :  And 
the  fame  feeme  rather  to  be  yet  continued  downe 
to  the  prefent  then  feparate  by  any  diftin(5t  lawes. 
1^^      «^*H.3.af.  For  in  the  ninth  of  Hrme  the  third:  *  it  is  confir- 

med with  a  generall  enlargeiiient,  that  No  man 
Jha/I  be  dijfeifed  of  his  liberties  or  free  cuHomes  but 
hy  lawfulljudgment  of  his  Peeres  5  Which  liberties 
are  particularly  enlarged  to  the  C  l  e  a  r  g  i  e, 

^j.E.i.i.  J.  B.  the  firft.     **  And  the  Charter  of  liber- 

ties is  againc  confirmed  as  well  to  the  Church 

fzj.E.  la, .  as  people,  25.  -E.  the  firft,  *=  And  t'is  enaded 

that  the  fame  jhallbe  pleaded  a6  the  common  Law  t, 
And  that  any  judgment  contrary  to  the  fame  jhallhee 

WCap:2.  voyd^.     Now  what  were  conceived  violations  , 

of  their  liberties  feverall  lawes  will  determine. 

f  1. E.  3. a,,  I .  Edward  the  third,  ^  It  is  faid^  the  Kings  Fa- 

ther by  evill  Counfellors  had  feiz^ed  into  his  hands  the 
Temporaries  of  diverfe  Eifliops,  and.  tis  ena^ed^ 
that  from  thenceforth  it  flya/l  not  be  dane. 

No  furveyer  to  take  a  Bifhops  goods  without  his 

/,i4.Ej5,j.  cor/fent  ^ :  (The  reafon  given) /^r  we  doc  take  the 

faid  Prelates  and  Cleargie  into  fpecia/l protection,  of 
us  and  our.heyres,     Anorher  Statute  of  the  fame 

veare 


hi^.E.^,6. 


il8.E.^3. 


Jhriefe  ReyievfofEi^ikopzcic.  £i 

yc^re preferi/es  their  Temporalt/es  "»  And  it  fliould  I M-H. 3.1; 
appeare  they  were  by  the  Law  preferved  as  a 
right  to  the  Church,not  to  be  forfeited  by  the  de- 
linquency of  the  prefent  Bifljop ;  But  preferved 
to  the  fucceffor^  being  fpecially  enaded.  That 
^  S it h  they  be  Peeres  of  the  Land 3  their  Temporalt/es 
fhall  not  bee  feizedon  a  contempt,  hut  they  fhallbe  fi- 
ned.    And  in  the  28 .  of  Edrvard  the  third,  in  the 
Generall  ratification  of  the  great  Charter  where- 
in it  was  then  further  enacfted,  *  'That  none (ImII be 
dijherited  without  being  brought  in  Anfrver  by  due 
procejfe  of  Law  i,  It  cannot  be  conceived  but  they 
were  included,  being  never  fever'd :  All  which 
Explanations  of  the  Liberties  of  the  Cleargie 
have  becne  involved  in  the  feverall  confirmations 
of  that  great  Charter,  which  hath  received  no 
leffe  then  thirtie  feverall  ratifications :  And  in  the 
flatute  of  fixteene  Bichardthe  fecond.  The  Bi-  ^^'  ^-  *  ^' 
Jhops  are  declared  to  be  profitable  and  neceffarie  to  our 
Lerd  the  King,  and  to  all  his  Realme^  and  that  by  the 
removal!  of  the^n  his  faid  Leige  Sages  the  Realme 
(hould  be  deflitute  ofCmnfell,   And  in  the  Statute 
,  of  8. .  Elizabeth  they  are  recited  to  he.one  of  the 
greatefl  States  of  this  Land.  Now  whether  whol-  -  pj, 
ly  to  Roote  up  this  order  which  hath  thus  beene    '- ■  -   '  ' 
iupported  by  our  Lawes  ever  fince  we  had  lawes, 
io  nuUifie  thefe  priviledges,  which  have  the  fame 
Antiquity,  Authority,  that  we  can  challenge  for 
ours,to  divide  this  body  politique,which  hath  ne- 
ver  beene  fever'd  fince  we  had  a  head,  to  take  a- 
way  thefe  confirm'd  Temporalities,  may  not  bee 

I  3  con- 


^^  J-bviefereyUypofEpiCco^SiCie. 

conceived  a  dangerous  breach  upon  this  Bul- 
warke  of  oui^  Liberties,  of  which  (as  Sit  Edward 
Cooke  fayes  (Magna  fait  quondam  Magns,  Reve- 
rentJacharUy)  1  may  norjudge,  but  holding  my 
felfe  a  free-man  by  the  inviolable  rights  of  this 
Charter,  I  hope  I  may  without  offence  make  a 
quxre. 


Scdi.  14. 

The  faking  arppaythe  Order  (jj^Ep  fcoss 

pacic  would  occafion great dijita- 

&ion  in  the  common  Law. 

f  T  fhould  fecme  likewife  that  the  removing  of 
''this  order  of  Bifhop  would  fhake  a  great  part  of 
the  foundation  of  our  Common  Lawes. 

FitZ'Uarbert  holds  i\i3X.  originallrvrits  are  the 
grounds  and  foundations  rvheretifp&n  the  whole  Lat9 
F^^"'^*'^-  '-  dot^  depend. 

Now  tis  very  evident  that  many  of  thefe  writs 
will  be  cleerely  nullified ;  for  ahlata  caufa  toUitur 
effeBuii,  And  thefe  being  many  of  them  derived 
J  H.j,  y<'-l»<>Wbi-,frQn3^foine  fpecially  againft,  others  directed  to 
TfwpwH.j.  &pro- ^^  Bijhi>ps,:nnd  fome  returnable  by  them,  muft 
linitor.ejM  Regit  AHgi:  nccds  with  them  Ml  voyd,  of  which  nature  arc 
^r^t'v^M^^^T  fhe  "^''^"^^  iff  prohibition  to  the  Bifhop,  and  o^confuU 
iiUo  fYoctdfte  prthi-  totion  after  prohibition,  which  were  declared  to 
buit.  c^dkdejitreKe-  iffyg  j^  all  the  time  of//fm^ the  third,   and  his 

Mtt&i(ii.s.f4i.^x6.   Roydl  Pr©gcnitors..^r4(^/^»  our  old  Lawyer  tells 


Ahriefe  i^el>w  ii>/Epifcopacic, 

us,  None  cm  cert/ fie  excommencement  but  only  the 
B!p)op,  whence  muft  fall  ex  confeqiientithcvfnc  Fitz  •  Harb^rr/6/.(js  , 
of  Excommumcato  Cdpiendo  u^on  .he  Certificate 
of  the.  BiJJwp,.  The  fcvei'all  v/rics  of  ^are  im^ 
fedit'^  £lupd  permittat%  Ne  admittas j  :isaKo  the 
writ  dircdcd  to  the  Biihop  ad  admittendum  Cleri- 
cum  '  And  upon  the  Bffhops  default  of  exccuti-- 
on.  The  writ  of  j^are  non  admijitj  quare  Incum^ 
hravit,  (jrc.  As  alfo  Breue  de  cautione  admitten- 
da,  Sreve  de  figDificavit,  Sreve  de  Heretic©  com- 
burendo,  upon  convidion  of  the  Bijhop  v/ith  ma- 
ny otherSjWiil  bee  in  the  moft  part  voyd,  which 
writs  in  former  times  have  had  fucn  relation  to 
Biffjops  that  fomeof  them  have  fit  with  the  She- 
ri&s  in  the  County  Courts  for  returne  of  writs,  ^ 

and  fev  erall  Bijh  ops  have  had  appropriated  to  their . 
Sees  the  returne  of  writs :  In  doomfday  booke^ 
it  is  found,  that  Tk  hundred  ^/Ofwaldfliaw  in  e,,^^^""^^^*  ^^. 
which  were  three  hundred  Hydes  of  land,  belonged  tit  detmehtfier  imkt 
to  f/^^  Bifliop  tf/ Worchefter  of  o'd,  and  no  She-  ^'''^.f^'-  f^^*^-  ^f' 
riffe  had  any  jtmfdi^ion  there  •,  of  ivhkh  an  mani  ^^„t  /co".  H;iv*^«i- 
jprejidents.  L-^iEfifcopu^ipfmiEc- 

By  their  removall  there  fliall  be  ««#«/ «r^-  :^4.i:^«;- 
■tifein  a  rvrit  ofbaUardie^  Mtiliertie,  Loyaltie  of  Ma-  habst  reMtmcs,  &c. 
trimon/e,  it  being  the  proper  nCi  of  the  Bifhop :  The  ttautmUtuvketomes, 
right  of  prefentation  (which  is  the  a6t  of  the  Pa-  cookc^v  .-fd.  134. 
iron  offering  his  Cleaik  to  the  Bijhop  of  thcDio-  Jbid :  foi:  t  to. 
celTe  to  be  inftitutedj  And  all  patronages  v;ill  -'> 

be  voyd. '  That  which  is  a  maxime  of  the  Com-  ^  ^-'^ 

monLav^,  that  where  the  right  is  fpiritttall  and  the  q   .  ,.  ..' 
remedy  only' by  Eccleffajika/lLajv*^  ThccQrmfame    <»«"•?• 

onh 


A  hnefe  r^lj/^nuo/Epifcopacie. 

ml'j  dfpertaim  to  the  Ecckftdfticdll  Court-,  will  leave 
Jiiany  men  deftitute  of  remedy. 

The  diftin(5i:  rights  betwixt  Patron,  Parfon^  and 
Incumhent  at  the  common  Law  •,  and  the  grants 
of  Bifhops,  Deanes5and  Chapters  apprqved  by  the 
Common  Law,  will  certainly  receive  great  di- 
flra(5tion .  I  profefTe  my  felfe  farrc  from  the  abi- 
iitie  to  prefent  all  the  Inconveniences :  yet  if  the 
branches  that  fpread  themfelves,  from  thefe  few 
Rootes,  be  wellconfidered,  Iprefumethey  will 
affoord  matter  of  great  confultation  before  the 
body  of  the  Law  be  thus  anatomized. 


Section  ij. 
The  Statute  Lafipes  concerning  Bifhops^ 

nPHough  the  inconvenient  cfFeds,  I'hc  fubver- 
■*'  fion  of  this  order  may  produce  in  the  Com- 
mon Law,  be  lefTe  vilible,  yet  the  Havocke  fihch  a 
change  muft  make  in  the  Statute  Lawes,  is  more 
obvious  to  our  eyes.  Many  of  which  become 
wholly  voyd,  others  in  part. 

As  the  Statute  ofdrcumfpe^e  ^^4^^,thirteenth 

•CoaVedejure  Kegli  £.  the  firft,  *  whereby  it  npper>res  the  Bijhops 

^    iz'i,  i^^'     Jif^ight  hold  plea  in  their  Courts  ofTythes,  obventions, 

oblations.  Mortuaries,  redemptions  of  pennance,  Uy^ 

iffg  violent  hands  m  a  Clear ke,  defamations,  (jrc 

Like- 


Ahriefe  ReVie^of  Epifcopacie.'  <^5 

Likevvife  the  Statute  called  Anicnli  cleri.  ^.E. 2 .  **  ''  ^^^  •  cfeiW.E.s 
Confifting  of  many  branches ,  wherein  t'is  rati- 
fied if  the  Prelates  and  Cleargy  and  their  Succejfours 
forever,  may exercife  Ecdefiafitcall lurifdiflion in 
the  Premijfes,   A Ifo  the  fe verall  Statutes,  concerri- 
ingExcominnmcationbytheBifhop:'^  AH  Statutes  'j-E-mj 
concerning  the  Ordinary,  enabling  him  to  fay  debts 
of  thegooas  of  the  InteUate  ^  ^  of  Counterpleading  •*  1 3  .Elit :  i^ 
the  Kings  Title  to  Benefices  by  Lapfe,  ^  of  Collation  c  tjE.  .3.7 
to  Benefices  after  Sixe  Moneths^^ oi  reformation  of  ft.H.5.i 
the  Government  of  Hofptalsyoivifitation  ofDioceJ-^ 
fes  and  Donatives  J  s  of  giving  Cofts  for  deteyning  of  g  ^,,H.8.to 
Tyths,  ^  for  which  by  the  Common  Law  is  no  '"j^-H.st, 
I'emedyjWith  many  others.  As  alfo  the  Statutes 
enabhng  Bi/hops  to  examine  the  abilities  of  Parfons 
frefented  to  Benefices, '  to  coirtdtfor  Defamations  ^  i  j.e.i  i  3 
fopunijhfuch  as  flrih  in  the  Church-yard,  ^  to  fup-  \9-^*'"^ 
pvcffc  and  punijh  Herejies,""    to  receive  the /'r^  m.^'hUt 
hates  of  Tejlaments''^  and  grant  Adminiflrations  "nH.s.y 
which  mufl:  produce  great  diftra6tions  in  the 
State  concerning  wills,  Executours,  and  Admint- 
flratours,  which  will  concernc  very  many  mens 
cftates,  the  feverall  Statutes  o^Dilapdatms,  Sub- 
fcripionsof  Admifionto  Citre,  oi  inftitutions  and 
Qualifications  of  Suffragans ,   of  Vrefentatwns  by 
Lapfe  upon  deprivations^  divers  Statutes  concern- 
ing Lenfes  of  Bijhops  lands  and  of  Benefices  which 
Cuie  will  be  of  no  ufe. 

Such  as  are  well  vers'd  in  the  Statutes  may  f  I 
beleeve)eafily  collect  above  Six!  core  feveral  Sta- 
tutes, many  whereof  will  become  wholly  voyd, 

K  othc«i 


^i-  A  Iriefe  Re'lPte'90 of  Epifcopacic. 

J  others  in  a  great  part,  if  the  Epifcopall  Iurifdi(5ki- 

onbeaboliihed. 

Sir  Edrvard  Coake  Turn's  up  divers  cafes,  where- 
in if  the  Statutes  had  not  enabled  the  5//l>()/>/ to 
proatd  n  theirEcckfiafticall  Courts,  there  haa 
bcene  no  remedy,  being  they  belong  not  to  the 
Common  h\w:oi^Jerve{  faies  he)  (eein^  the  deter- 
Sit-  Ed.  Cooke  de  prt  m  nation  of  Herefas,  S(hifmeSy  and  errmri  in  Reli- 
l!liiSscleji4ui9'J^o,  ^:^^^  ordering,  €X4minatfonyndmif:ony  inftitution^ 
4^td  deprivation  of  men  of  the  Church,  of  right  Ma- 
trimony^ Divorces,  andgenerallBaHardy,  (where- 
upon depend  the  ftrength  of  mens  difcents  and 
Ifiheritances  j  of  Probates  ofteftaments^  and  letters  of 
AdminiHration  (  without  which  no  debt  nor  duty 
due  to  any  dead  man  can  be  recovered  by  the 
Common  Lawj  Mortuaries,  penfons,  procurations^ 
reparations  of  Churches,  Simony,  Incejt,  Adultery ^ 
fornication  and  Incontinencte^  and  fome  others^  doth 
not  helong  to  the  Common  Law,  how  neceffary  it  was 
for  theadminiflrationof  luflice,  thatEcckfiajlicall 
Courts  were  Authorized  to  determine  fo  great  and 
important  caufes.  In  all  which  Fcclefiafticall  cau- 
Cookestiukton.3  44'  fesand  Iurifdi6lions  f^^  Bifhop  is  thd  Kings  ordi- 
nary Andinmediatt  officer^  and  ever  hath  beene  ap- 
proved by  our  Common,  ratified  by  our  Statute, 
lawes^ . 


Se^;, 


A  hriefe  Reyieyi>  of  Epifcopacie,  -Is^ 


Section  i6. 

Whether  Abolijhing  ofHSi/lops  mcy 

ft  and  yoithtbe  Kings  LegaU 

^rerogatiy^^ 

T  aftly  it  is  confiderable.  whether  Bifhops  doc 
^--'not  appeare  to  have  an  infeparable  fupportati- 
on  by  the  Kings  moft  Anticnt,  moft  Legally  Pre- 
rogative. 

What  power  Bifhops  had  before  they  came 
into  this  nation   hath  been  formerly  iliewed; 
(ince  they  were  firfl:  planted  in  this  Kingdome,  k 
is  now  neere  fifteene  hundred  yeares,  over  whom 
the  Kings  before  the  Conquefl:  had  ever  Ecclefi- 
afticall  lurifdidion,  and  WtUUmtheConquereras 
King  ef  England^  made  appropriation  of  Churches  T-Sytlu^mmpedit. 
with  Cure  to  EcclefiapcaUperfons,  whence  it  follow-  'fi^^'    ,  .  . 
^^  (fays  Sir  Edward  Cook  »)that  hehadEccleJta^  alloluulmc^^^^^^^ 
flic  all  lurifdiBion .  ^^^i^-  «^  ^  ^x  Angi'a  ap^ 

Itkrecited intheChartcr  ofHc^thefirftAn  ^S^^^tSt 
the  foundation  or  the  Abbey  or  Reddmgy  That  buij[eco>tftqunut,cookcdi 
dfwell  in  regard  of  his  Ecclefiailicallas  Recall  power,  h[^  ^ff/  '?•  , 
he  erdatnes  that  thepofjepons  of  the  i^bbeyjhAUre'  dcRtduing  an  i  !<;, su- 
rname entire  and  free  for  ever.     From  which  and  '«'^'^'  '^'•^em  tam  Uc(f(ia 

other  prefidents(Sii-£i,v.C..feconcludesMy;r./;;SJ!|rX:fiS" 
hy  the  antient  Common  Laws  of  this  Realme,  by  the  &c.  " 

Refolutions  andludgements  of  the  ludges  and  Sages  fo^kedeiuHecclep^nics, 

Kz  4°'^^'    : 


68  Abrkfe  ReVte've  of  Epifcopacie^. 

/  sfthe  Lam  ofEngUnd^  in  allfuccepon  ofciges^  asbj 

the  authority  of  many  ^  cts  of  Parliament,  antient^ 
and  of  later  times  •,  7'hat  the  Kingdome  of  England  is- 
anabfolute'JMonarchy^  andthat  the  King  i^  the  only 
Sufreame  Governor^  a  five  II  over  £cclejia(i/call  per- 
fons ,  and  in  Eccleftajlicall  canfes  ,.  as  Temporally 
Which  Sup-eamc  power  over  Ecclefiafticall  per- 
fo  IS,  is  no  way  more  manifefted  than  in  the  dcfi- 
gn  tion  or  noiiii  lation  of  Bt^ops,  (the  Supreame 
^  Officers  in  the  Church  j  it  appearing  by  Law 
books,  and  by  divers  h&s  of  Parliament.     That 
at  firfi  all  the  S  jhopncks  in  England  were  of  the 
Co-^ks  Ui\kt- foil  34. .  j^j^^^  founds  on,  and  donative,  per  trad'tionem  Ba- 
cuU  clr  Anndi  ♦,   t^nd  that  King  Henry  the  frfl^ 
Rot.par.i  J  7^»  i7./<?.  being  requeued  bf  the  Bsjhop  of  Rome,  td  make  them 
MathtPar  ^.15  ij  ele^ti've^refpfed  it :    But  King  lohn  1 7  of  his  Raigne^ 

granted  they  fhould  be  elfgime.     Which  Eledion 
'    is  declared  by  fcvercl  Statutes  to  be  by  the  Deanc 
and  Chapter,  but  by  the  fpec^all  defignation  and  ap^ 
piintment  of  the  King :  Which  right  of  nomina- 
a?  H.8 10.  ^^^"^  ^^  ^y  <^'ivers  Statutes  inverted  -  in  the  Crown  i 

jr  ri  a' 9..  And  this  right  is  not  barely  prefcribed  to  by  Cu- 

J  |:^  *•  ftome;  but  acknowledged  both  by  Common  and 

Statute  Laws,  to  be  a  right  built  upon  reafon  and 
luftice,  for  that  all  the  B.'fhopricks  in  England  are  of 
the  Kings  foundation^  and  t  he  King  Is  Patron  of  them 
^'CbdkUifoiiiA:      ^^^  ^  '  which  is  recited  and.  declared  by  the  Sta- 
j7.fi 3/0 4q:  '       x.\xt(ioi  i.Iacobi. 

45. E.?  e  depYQvlf,     . 
Stat.i.Iareicj..  Sattmdttermlnat.e'i  omnet  Spfcopat.d''gli<iiperReies  progmtore^fundati 
fuijfc&gitnr advocations  earimomnmtn  ad  Regem fpe^are :  Trimpieetiam  cioaauzjos  fuif. 
Je:.Cookzdeii4rfSccle,JeJ;i4, 

Now 


Jhtefe  ^<»')?/<5Tj?o>/'Epifccpacir.  G9 

Now  if  this  prchcminence  over  the  ftatc  Ec-  1^ 

dcfiafticall,  this  right  of  Eledionor  defignarion  \ 

beido;  of  fifteen  hundred  yeares  prefcription,  al- 
lowed n  d  confir'ped,  both  by  Common  and 
Stati  tc  Law5^enot  a  legall  and infcparable  prero- 
g^t've:  Then  certainly  the  oldMaxime  Nullum 
tempos  occurrtt  Regi^  is  of  little  force. 

And  'tis  to  me  (I  confelfe)  of  a  ftrange  apprct- 
henfion,  that  any  fhould  prefume  to  preach  or 
prim  fuch  do(5lrines^  fo  abfolutely  deftrud^ive  to 
this  kingly  Supremacy  and  Prerogative,  andfo 
repugnant  to  the  Word  of  God .     As  that  dl  Pa-  "j^l^^^  po^l'^"^  >  *  J 
Jiors  ought  to  he  chofen  by  the  people,  or  elfe  their  ele^  dvcrs  others"" '"  ^""^ 
Bionis  not  larvfuU\  wherein  they  do  diredly  de- 
ny this  Ecclefiaftical  lurifdidion.     Having  no 
other  Argument  to  overthrow  this,  fo  long  con- 
ftant  pradtife  warranted  by  Law.     But  that  they 
fay  it  was  fo  in  the  Primitive  times,  which  per- 
haps might  be  true  in  fome  private  alTcmblies^  yet 
as  is  fufficiently  proved  where  there  then  was  (e- 
Vcn  in  the  Apoftlcs  times)  any  State  or  Province      \  ^J"'°''' 
converted  to  the  Chriftian  Faith,  as  £/^^y/// and 
Crete:  The  Apoftles  ordained  Biiliops^  they  Pref 
hyters^  that  is,  Minifters. 

But  admit  all  Pa  ft ors  had  been  then  eleiftive, 
when  there  was  no  Chriftian  Civill  Magiftrate  to 
choofe  ^  no  Vniverfities  or  Schooles  of  literature, 
to  enable  men  for  the  Miniftery  .•  No  way  to 
judge  of  their  capacities ,  but  by  the  exercife  of 
thofe  gifts  which  God  in  a  miraculous  meafurCj 
/for  the.  calling  of  <  the  Gentiles}  w^aspleafed  to 
'   -  K  3  give 


-.3 


yi  \A  brlefe  Reyieyp  of  Epifcopacie. 

/  give  to  mcane  people;  No  maintenance  for  a  mi- 

/      ,      niftery  but  what  was  coUecfted  out  of  private  pur- 
fes  (who  had  thereby  fome  pretence  of  popular 
eledions.)  No  publike  or  free  Churches,but  pri- 
Martyrs  fol:  39.        ^^^^  meetings  in  Holes  or  Caves :  Is  it  therefore 
.  a  rationall  inference ,  That  when  Kwgs,  Frinca 
and  whole  Nations  were  converted  to  the  Chri- 
ilian  faith ,  who  have  founded  and  raifed  up  Vni- 
verfities  and  Schooles  of  Learning  where  men 
are  trained  up  in  the  myfteries  of  Divinitie,  of 
whofe  abilities  the  common  people  cannot  judge, 
whofe  perfons  or  parts  cannot  be  knowne  to  all 
but  by  recommendation  5  Since  by  the  particu- 
lar Beneficence  of  Kings  and  Princes ,  Churches 
have  beene  built  and  endowed  with  maintenance 
for  Minifters,   without  the  purfe  of  the  people ; 
Muft  we  now  reduce  the  Government  of  a  whole 
Nation  to  the  fame  Rule  that  govern'd  forty  or 
fifty  who  gathered  themfelves  into  a  body,  and 

zo^M  super  Can:  it  had  no  civill  Magiftrate  i 

Laod :  Coneiii.  Tis  ttue,  that  fome  few  yeares  after  the  Apo- 

E'rwi iflSu!%  ^^^^  ^^^^^ ^" ^^^^ ^^'^^^^ ^^^ popular ele^ions of 
JmTuit^Jfndefcditio-  Biiliops  and  Minifters  remained.  Butasfoone 
77f5  exiUmnt,   Hhtc  35  Chriftianitie  begun  to  be  any  thing  fpread,did 

^^iS^T>-  "o«  ^^^y  tf  *r  */"  p^°''"«  '^"""'«'  f^*^'"- 

vimice  authoritate  eiigi  ons,  bloud-lhcd  c'  As  Zonaros  obfervcs.  In  times 
Ep'if'o^um  quemq^  »f>-  p^a  gi(}ions  mre  chofen  by  the  voue  of  the  people^ 
poite,^  dnrcvenntpa-  if  J  rj-  r  >      t.     /  r  ■     j  i   1 

i^f  J  gje.  ^^^  man'j  feaitions  arifmg,  the  Fathers  ordained  th4t 

eieWme  Damaft  \i7.  every  Who^fbouldhechofenh)the^\{ho^sofhii 
t7cl\:7o%Tl7f  ^^^^^^'^  And  recites  feverallfeditions,inflan- 
fmt  dcbu monumental,  cing  that  at  the  Blcdionof  Vamaff^s  137.  men 

were 


Z4briefe\eyief9of  Epifccpacie,  ^o 

were  flaine,  of  vohkh  (faycs  he j  might  hce  brought 
px€  hundred  examples.    And  {'v\ct  the  wifdome  of 
Princes^thc  Piety  of  Councells,  finding  fuch  hor- 
rid efFcds  of  Popular  elecftions,  for  the  peace  and 
good  government  of  the  Church  did  reduce  Pro- 
vinces into  Diocefies,  and  fubdivideJ  them  into 
Pariihes  f  and  for  the  avoyding  of  llich  Confufi- 
on)  attributed  for  the  moft  part  the  right  of  pre- 
fentation  to  the  Prince  or  fubjecffc,   who  had  firfl 
endowed  the  <^hurches  with  maintenance  -.,  what 
is  it  but  to  bring  backe  all  to  the  firft  Chaos-^  Thus 
to  reduce  all  to  popular  eledions  ^  To  take  from 
the  King  this  antient  Legall  right  of  Patronage  ^ 
We  allow  priviledges,  and  ratifie  all  donations  to 
Corporations,  Cities,  Burroughes,  Hofpitalls, 
even  to  the  Spittle,  for  the  cure  of  difeafes,  and 
ihall  no  Patronage  bee  firme ,  no  endowment  be 
valid  which  is  made  by  fuch  Royall  Benefa^^^ors 
to  the  cure  of  foules  ^ 

With  the  Abolition  of  this  order  muft  ex  con- 
fequenti  fall  the  Kings  power  of  fummoning 
them  to  Councell.  Queil;ionle{re,wkcn  Elut he- 
rim  dire(5led  Lutim  to  take  out  of  the  Scripture  a  vHiCi  Biii.Eff/e^.f  fcr/. 
Lm>,  And  according  to  that  Law  to  rule  the  /irfW;Sure  fr>o,^(.  ;oi.  j^.  ?y. 
the  ^ifJjops  that  then  were  the  expofitors  of  that 
Scripture,  were  not  excluded  from  the  confulta- 
tionof  thofe  Lawes,  which  were  to  bee  derived 
fmm  that  Scripture  they  had  then  newly  taught . 
In  all  Chriftian  dates  they  had  prime  place  in 
Councell :  In  the  firft  Records  of  Farliamems 
v^  find,  they  had  fo  here  ^  Their  writs  of  Sum- 
mons 


7^  A  briefe  reyhl!0  of  EpiCco^Sicie. 

J  iiions  as  Antient,  and  in  the  fame  words  as  thofe 

of  Temporall  Barons.  Their  Baronies  Created 
by  the  Conqueror:  We  likewife  acknowledge 
tlic  King  the  fount aine  of  Honour :  And  are  not 
bodies  politicke,  Corporations,  Cities,Boroughs 
by  our  Lawes  capable  of  rights,  of  liberties  of 
Honours  as  well  as  private  men  ^  And  if  late  in- 
ftitutedjOld  decayed  Burroughs  doe  all  of  them  de 
jure  c!r  dc  falfo,  prefcribe  to  and  enjoy  their  right 
of  Vote  in  Parliament :  Is  the  whole  order  of 

s,H:<J{i;  Epifcopac/e,  The  reprefentative  body  of  the  Cler- 

gie  (who  by  former  jlatutes  havehadthc  fdmepri- 
'viledgesgramedto  them  in  Parliament  time  (ts  other 
great  men>  and  Commons  have)  leflfe  capable  of 
rights  then  every  fmall  Burrough  <  Are  the  Kings 
Grants  of  priviledges,  honours,  good  to  iuch, 
and  yet  1500.  yeares  patronage,  ncere  a  thou- 
fand  yeares  prefcription  to  their  Votes  in  Parlia- 
ment. The  Kings  writs  of  700.  yeares  con- 
flant  pradize,  can  neither  preferve  his  Patronage, 
enable  him  to  fummon  them,  nor  them  to  plead  a 
priviledge. 

This  fupreame  power  over  them  we  find  hath 
by  our  lawes  deduc'd  many  priviledges  to  the 

S/:i4:E'3:f.  Crowne.     As  to  dem'fethe^r  Temper dties  in va* 

cation  times ^  To  have  all  the  lands  of  the  free-hol- 

i7.-E:3Ji4J  ders  <?/ Arch-Biihops  and  J^i{\}ops  upon  attainders 

^n  Vacation,     To  have  th  frjl  fruits  of  Arch-Bi- 

iftH:8:5;  fhops,  Bifhops  and  all  fpir^tuall  promotions  ^  pre- 

fentatlonshy  lapfe.  And  above  all  i  He  right  of  iaft 
appeak  (of  which  both  King  aixl  Subjcd  muft 

loofe 


J  hriefe  ReVis'^  of  Epifcopacic'  73 

loofe  the  benefit^  for  in  the  presbyterian  difci- 

pline.  There  k  no  appeale  from  their  Synods  to  an^  Suckiiffc.itj. 

Prince  of  the  world.  All  which  lurifdiHions ,  frivi- 

ledges y  and  freheminenceSj  are  hy  the  Statute  of  i", 

Elizabeth,  Annexed  to  the ImperiallCrowne.  All  i.  EUz.wp.t^ 

which  junfdi(5tians3  priviledges,  c5"^.  we  are  by 

the  oath  of  fupremacy  fwornc  to  defend. 

And  the  King  himlelfe  at  his  coronation  is  ThcKingc  tdia  CoJ 
publikely,  and  folemnly  fworne  5  To  confirmethe  to^xj^, 
laweSf  cuflomes  andfranchiz,esoftheClergie^  To 
freferve  to  the  Bilhops  and  the  Churches  committed 
to  their  charge  aH  Canonical!  priviledges  and  due  law 
and  jujlice ,  And  to  frote5i  and  defend  to  his  fower 
the  Bifhops  and  Churches  under  his  government. 
Now  whether  the  totall  demolition  of  Epifcopa- 
cie,  doe  not  extinguilh  this  right  of  Patronage, 
Eclipfe  this  regall  power  of  fummons,  flop  this 
fpring  of  Honour,  nuUifie  thefe  ancient  and  rati- 
fied prerogatives  of  the  Crowned  Or  how  the 
oath  of  fupremacy  wee  have  taken  may  bee  dif- 
penc'djor  hisMajeftes  oath  interpreted  wil(I  pre- 
iume)appeare  very  confiderable,both  ex  inconve- 
nienti  certo ,  ^  exconfequenti  dubio :  Nothing  be- 
ing more  dangerous  to  a  State  then  to  admit  an 
iteration  of  itsfundamentallinflicutlons. 


t;  Conclu- 


74  ^  hrkfe  ReVieli?  af  EpifcopacieJ 

QONCLVSION, 

BVt  rather  ,  fince  the  Government  of  the 
Church  by  Biihops,  by  thefe  proofes  appeares 
tp  bee  inftituted  by  the  Apoftles :  That  the  Atr- 
-  gels  of  the  Churches  were  BifliopSjthat  their  fuc- 
celTion  hath  been  con  ft  ant  and  continuall  from 
the  Apoftles  to  this  inftant :  that  they  have  been 
Diocefan  Bifliops ,  exercifing  fuperiority  over 
the  reft  of  the  Clergy :  That  they  have  had  the. 
fame  power  of  Iuri(di(5lion5  Ordination,  Excom- 
munication, in  all  tim€S  a  s  now  they  have  -,  That 
they  havebeene  antiently  honored  Vv^ith  Titles, 
have  had  Arch-Bifliops ,  Are  approved  by  late 
Writers  ,defired  by  the  Reformed  Churches,  ra- 
tified by  our  Lawes  •,  The  right  of  their  defigna- 
tion  inverted  in  the  Crown,  we  bound  by  oath  to 
preferve  that  -right  •,  And  the  King,  taking  his 
oath  to  preferve  them  :  And  firiee  by  the  eftabli- 
filed  Articles  of  our  Religion,  Wee  are  inftrudted 
.^,  xobeke-ve  df^d  acknowledge  that  there  is  nothing  fu-' 

^  fersiitior/is  or  ungodly  in  their  Confecration,  hut  that 

ivhofoever  are  fo  confecratedy  are  rightly,  orderly^  and 
lawfully  Confecrated :  Before  any  fuch  great  and 
fotall  tranfmutation  of  the  fabrick  oi  the  Church 
fnall  be  admitted,  I  (hall  hope  in  a  Nationall  Sy- 
nod •,  there  will  be  a  full  difcuflion  and  refutation 
of  all  that  feeming  authprity  of  Scripture  and  Fa- 
thers, which  is  and  may  bee  pleaded  for  the  right 
of  that  Call  ing,  whereby  every  nian  may  be  fatif- 

fied 


'A  hriefe  Reyier^of  Epif  copaciei.  75 

fied  in  Confcience  of  the  lawfulnelTe  of  fuch  a 
Change  of  Government-,  The  principles  of  Re- 
ligion depending  upon  Divine,  not  hunfiane  Au- 
thority: ThatofS.^«/?/>fecminfftomeeaRule   .     ...     ,,«<.^.^•,^, 
unanlvverable  5  What  the  Chtirch  hath  alrvap  held,  cap.i^.^!odimzefa- 
rvhat  hath  not  been  infiitnted  by  Cotmcels,  hut  ever  in  temit  £cckfia,cjuod' 
fraBifed  in  the  Church,  is  moB  rightly  to  be  beleeved  fjr^^t^dfmpclnlm' 
as  an  K^ffofiolicall Tradition,   A  nd  lertullian  con-  tum  ei\,non  -,.  ifi  ^pofie- 
eludes.  That /:<  e<videntto  have  come  irom  theJpo-  I'^ca  authomau  troM- 
JtleSjiVMch  ivas  (acrealy  ohferved  tn  the  Churches  of  jgrtul  ^/c  ^.rx^f  ripad- 
theApoHles,  iffo  we  know  what  precept  the  A-  veifusH^r.  <^5^»^^f* 
poftlePjw/ hath  left  us.  Brethren fi and faH ,  and^  f/^ff-.a^AtoMisVl 
/jold  the  Traditions  which  y^  have  been  taught  whe-  dnumquedai^ud^ccie- 
ther  by  mrdor  our  EpiHk,  ^  /?'"  ApeMorum  [umt 

Now  on  tlie  contrary,  what  foundation  this  ^''^Th^SV 
Preibyterian  ^jifcipline  by  Lay  Elders,  hath  on 
Scriptui  e  or  Tradition  I  never  yet  faw  iliadow  of, 
I  would  be  glad  to  have  this  one^^^  refolved  in 
reafon  and  policy. 

Either  thefe  new  defigned  Governors  mult 
Rule  with,  or  without  a  Law  •,  If  by  Law,  it  muft 
be  either  new,or  old  <  If  ncw,and  that  after  1 600 
yeares  flourifliing  of  the  Church,  a  right  Rule  bee 
not  yet  fet  -,  who  fhall  hope  to  live  to  fee  it  perfe- 
ded  <  if  Old ,  wee  have  no  patterne^  but  that 
which  orher  Reformed  Churches  follow  ^  either 
Civill  or  Ecclcfiafticall  Law :  Iffo ,  where  will 
be  found  7,  or  as  is  required  in  fome  Parifhes,  13  ^ 
Lay  Elders,  that  can  read  it,  much  more  for  every 
yeare  a  frefl]  fupply^  How  many  ages  muft  pafle 
before  it  bee  univerfally  underftood  by  fuch  i 

L  a  In 


7 ^>  A  hriefe  Reloie'^p  of  Epi  fcopacic'. 

In  the  Interim,  what  confufion  muft  follow  ? 

If  theve  muft  be  ncrLaw,  but  we  ir.uft  bee  left 
to  the  Arbitrary  Gove^  nr.  sent  oFthe  Paftour,  and 
his  Elders  •,  I  have  no  more  lo  fay^but  ^liferereno- 
ftri :  God  deliver  me  from  fuch  a  Government  •,  I 
was  born  free,that  is^hcyre  to  laws-  And  laws  ( fays 
Sir  E.Caok)'WGrc  well  called  Libert ates  AnglU^quia^. 
Liheros  nos  fmunt ,  Becaufe  Laws  make  us  free. 
And  certainly  there  is  no  fuch  Tyranny  as  no 
Law.  The  vulgar  may  call  this  Liberty,  but  fuch 
Liberty  brings  in  Licentioufnefte,  which  is  ever 
the  fore-runner  of  fervitude  What  do  wee  call  a 
Tyrant,  but  him  whofe  v^ill  is  a  Law  5  what  muft 
we  call  ten  thoufand  fuch  i 

But  fay  fome,  what  will  this  conccrne  the  Ci- 
vill  State  <  Yes,  BuUingcr  obferves^thc  Ambaf- 
t^fis  in  Germany  began  with  the  Bi{hops,but' ended 
with  the  Civill  Magiftrate.  And  one  of  our  own 
ingenioufly  concludes,  ^nodfer  Ecckfiam^  Rex  ^ 
Kcgnum  folidum  fubfiBendi  habent  fundarmntum^ 
That  by  the  ftable  Government  of  the  Church, 
the  King  and  Kingdome  have  the  folid  foundation 
of  their  fubfiflence. 

The  holy  finger  of  Ifrael,  not  infignificantly 
couples  together ,  Nolite  tamere  Clm^os  meos 
HUmiiitChioa,  (which  S.H/erome  appropriates  to  Kings)  &m 
Prof^hetis  meis  nolite  maljgnm ,  Touch  not  mine 
Annointed,  and  do  my  Prophets  no  harme :  As 
if  King  and  Prieft  had  an  infcparable  dcpendance 
of  good  and  ill  upon  one  another. 

T»he  vingcniaus  Inquifitor  into  the  Conftituti- 

ens.. 


lAhriefe%e'y>ie'9ifof  Epifcopacie!;    "  W 

ons  of  Common-wealths ,  layes  this  Maxime, 
Thofe  Princes  or  Republiks  which  muld  keep  them- 
felvafiom  Yuin^  mufi  above  aU  things  preftrve  Reli- 
gion venerable  :  Religion  is  the  perfed:  Cement 
of  a  State,which  diflblved,  it  muft  necelTarJly  fall 
in  pecces.  Hence  moft  Kingdomes  in  antient 
times  joyned  the  royall  and  prieftly  dignity,  and 
that  out  of  policy ,  that  their  ceremonies  might 
pot  only  receive  honor  from  fo  great  attendances, 
but  that  the  devotion  rayfed  by  thofe  great  folem- 
nities  might  eftablilliand  fccure  them  in  the  hearts 
of  their  people. 

Tacitus  therefore  faid  well ,  Deorum  ^munere 
fimmum  Pontifcemfmnmum  hominem  effe :  It  was 
the  ipeciall  favour  of  the  Gods^that  the  c'hicfc  of 
Priefts  was  the  chiefe  of  men. 

Mahomet  left:  the  office  of  chiefe  Priefl  anne- 
xed to  the  Royall  dignity.  And  amongft  the 
Rornans^  as  if  they  had  ruled  both  with  one  arme, 
whilft  there  was  a  feparation  o£ Royalty  and  Prieft.- 
hoodj  it  became  an  honor  alrva'^s  reftdent  ir^  the  Empc- 
roiirsperfortfiom  lulius  C^efar,  in  whom  the  Empire 
and  Pontificate  were  atfrfl  by  chance  tmited,  andco^t- 
tinned flillin  Confiantine,ValentJnian^Valem  ,  and  Sozomen./i>.4v 
the  ChrifHan  Emperours^till  Gratianfrfl  cafi  off  both 
the  name  and  attire .  A  nd  as  nothing  more  fecures 
a  Crown  than  a  Religious  reverence  to  authority: 
There  are  certainely  no  fo  fearefull  prodigies  of 
a  declining  State,  as  violation  of  Laws,  contempt 
of  Religious  orders,  and  neglc<^  of  Divine  wor- 
fhip.  AH  which  we  fee  daily  attempted  by  fome 

L3  of 


lacicacioMs. 


Ezra  7.17 


78  •    Jbriefe  reyh'^  of  Epifcopaclc. 

oFthofe  Difciplinarians,  who  admit  no  Reforma-  ■ 
tion,  no  qualification,  but  the  utter  extirpation  of 
the  Bifhops, the  abfolute  fubverfion  of  the  Church- 
Government. 

But  happy  it  is,that  thefe  feavers  of  a  State  bave 
broke  forth  into  a  Difcovery  of  themfclvcs,  when 
the  Pfeyfitian  is  at  hand,  fitting  the  Parliament^ 
whofe  ready  early  help,  will  by  Cods  grace  allay 
this  Heate,and  reduce  our  Body  Politique  to  its 
perfecfi:  temper. 

Happy  it  is  we  have  fuch  2  patterne  of  Peace, 
fliewed  us  by  our  Prince  of  peace^who  hath  made 
our  neighbours  the  objects  of  his  mercy,  us  of  his 
love-,  In  his  piety  fccurir'^  rjiem  with  an  ad  of  ob-.  , 
livion.  In  his  equity  ,  looking  upon  our  grie- 
vances, giving  up  to  the  hand  ofluilice  all  delin- 
quents,  and  putting  himfcife  upon  the  affedions 
and  loyalty  of  his  people.  In  the  whole  circum- 
ftances,an  a(5t  of  Grace  not  parallelled  by  any  fto- 
ry.  If  fuch  applaufe  were  given  to  DavidyV^htn 
^4«/had{lainehis  looo,  and  Dav:J  his  16000- 
what  greater  plaudites  mull:  wee  give  to  him, 
whofe  compalTion  and  wifdome  1  >ath  undeniably 
preferved  millions  of  his  people. 

Let  us  give  to  C^far  his  due  acknowledgment, 
and  to  God  the  prayfe  ^  And  with  the  Prophet  u- 
nanimoufly  cry,  Bleffedbethe  LordGodof  our  Fa- 
thcrs  iWho  hath -put  fuch  athingoi  this -in  the  Kings 
heart.  And  God  put  it  into  the  hearts  of  all  his 
loyalIpeople,to  meet  this  grace  of  his,with  cheer- 
fulnerfe  of  fpirit,  and  contentation  of  heart,,  and 

dired 


A  hriefe  Rcyisiv  of  Epifcopacic.  y^ 

diredt  the  confultations  of  his  High  Coiinfels  to  a  ' 

(pecdy  regulation  of  the  poore  diftradled  Church, 
nnd  to  ddiver  this  our  Edeff  from  (the  formidable 
prod  igy  of  dcftru(51:ion  j  the  flaming  Srvord  brandi- 
ilied  in  our  Frontiers.  That  fo  our  peace,  fecured 
by  his  Mercy,  and  our  providence,  our  Liberties 
redeemed  by  his  luftice  and  our  diligence ,  the 
Church  prelerved  by  his  Piety  and  our  modera- 
tion, his  united  Empire,  all  our  hearts  may  fpeake 
the  Pfldmifts  Language : . 

The  Lord  prolong  the  Kings  life y  O prepare  mercy 
andtruth^  that  mayprefcrve  him,  Pfal.6i  .7. 

That  we  may  all  with  Holy  David  ipny  for  the 
peace  of  Hierufalem^  they  fliall  profper  that  love . 
her,  iy^/.  1 2  2, 6. 


FINIS. 


TheTabk 
OfthefeverallScftionsin  the 

furvcy  of  Presbytery. 

Scdio  prima.  Tht  define  of  the  Preshperiant. 
2     The  method  ef  their  froceeding, 
5     Their  cenfUre  of  fhe  Clcrgit  in  §jiun  Elizabetl^s 
dA^es,  ' 

4  Theopmom  of  the  Reformed  Churches  of  her  time, 

5  A  dtfcufiton  whether  they  feeke  to  full  dop^ne  or  ad-, 
vancethe  Clergie, 

6  The  Ecc/ejiajiicall Lam  agreeable  to  Gods  Word, 

7  The  Presbferiims  muftnot  Befrefcribed  i»jdoBri»(^ 

8  They  pnufl  be  freed  from  civill  miferies, 

9  Epifiopacie  moft  agreeable  with  Monarchies 

10  Presbytery  inconfi^ent  with  Mnarchie, 

1 1  Presbytery  meof^fient  with  Civill  M^iftrofie, 

12  Presbytery  iHCOfipffeftt  with  latfs. 

1 3  The  ifiirdinate  violence  of  the  Presbytery. 

14  That  this  DifcipUnebrifigs  not  liberty  to  thevulgar^ 
but  introdnces  a  metre  {Arbitrary  Government, 

1 5  That  the  Presbyterian  difciplsm  is  confefjed  ayoake, 

1 6  The  vain  escufe(jhat  Lay-elders  fhall  moderate)  re- 
futed. 

17  ISTo  Reformed  Church  gives  any  f  rodent  patalell 
tvith  tn, 

1%  Conclufion*  That  to  introduce  anew  form  is  dange^ 
rom, 

f  The 


ThcTablc,  to  thcRcview  of  Epifcopacic. 

Scccio  prima.  That  there  mere  Mijb6ps  tn  the  ^poftles 

times, 
a     That  the  [even  Angels  of  the  [even  Churches  were 

Brfheps. 

3  ,  That  there  hath  bin  a  continued fiiccef  ion  ofBifhofs. 

4  That  they  xtere  Di(>eefan  Btfhops* 

J    That  the  Clergie  ouffht  to  bejuftrieur  to  one  amher^ 

6  That  they  ajjume  ni power  or  jurifdtBion  their prede^ 

cejfbrshadnot. 

7  That  Bffhops  had  the  fame  potfer  of  OM^^ikn  in 
fdrmer\iimes, 

8  Ealejiafiicallcenfuresdncientlji  inBifbops, 

9  Tit  les  of  I  Honour  ancientlj  given  to  Btjhops. 

10  That  iff  ere  were  Archbifbops  tit  the  primitive  times. 

1 1  That  lategre^t  iVriters approved Bifh'oj^s,  '^ '""  / 

12  That  Bifhops  were  approved  in  the  Reformed  Chuf^ 

ches,  , 

1 5  Eptfcopaciedfpravid  Bj  the  ancient  eufimary  laws* 

1 4  ^hdt dbdlitionof  EpifcopaciemU ^c^i^oh great  di^ 
ftraBion  in  the  Common  Ldws, ' 

1 5  That  it  will  dejlroy  great  fart  of  the  Statute  Laws, 

1 6  fvhether  it  may  be  done  by  the  Kings  Legatt  Prero^ 
j^ative,  ;.  ^    ^^ 

17  7%e(^dncmm, 


Errats, 


REader^the  Authors  abfcncc  hath  occafion'd 
many  omifsions,  haviag  not  opportunity  to 
pcruictheJPrefTe  ,  efpecially  in  the  quotations. 
The  beft  heipe  is  thy  friendly  patience ,  to  pafTe 
by  the  literall  faults,  amend  thefe  few  following, 
and  beare  with  the  reft.  Some  of  them  vary  the 
fencejtherefore  it  is  defired  thou  wilt  amend  them 
ere  thou  readeft. 

Errata, 

IM  the  Survey  of  Prcsl>ytery,Pr<»/;B  »,p.t.Ilnc.7  fl///Wfl,Iinc  H.foc 
inftruded  r  ,intrufted,  Scft  i.l.i?.  for^thcnn,r  their  Seft.i,pag.»« 
inarg.l4i,read  Prelate  Cf^urch.  Seft.3,not  I,  mAt^.r  ■pertulfliy  i- 
bidem  for  eddiftfir,ecldid!ftiynoi(k)£ot  Be  nec.C  ijpjZ.ma rg.not  o  for  40, 
fjXi,  Seft  7jI,ii,bIoc  out  thiy fay, ScA,7iD  8,l>l7,add  (ai  Calvin cals 
thcm)famticlhomineSy&c.  E 1,  f  for  "Deo  r,duo ,  margfor  Tomes,  r" 
Tora.7, E  i,p,tl,i7,rjCenfurers,E  j,p,i,l,29,  adde  fttch unlimited, 
Seft-9,l,9}ror  every  r,  Envyjclamour,  F  fol.  Ijij,  a  full  point  at  pof- 
(eflion,  fol,F,i,p,z,Is4,putout  (U)'p  3,1,13 , for  and  r,&c.ibidjmarg. 
1,1  r,r,frenabit,  foj,  G  a,p,»,l,xj,r,  obfcrvable G  3,  p,»,  roarg,l,i,r,, 
Domim  G 4,  »arg.  l,i,  r,J9, H  i  .p,*,!,!?,  adde  man  not  to  reft,foU 
I  l,i7,r.Prfj^v'e-7,fol,I  x,l,  i  < ,  after  repent :  adde  The  Pr^esbifta iam 
a^me,  I  3  p,i,l,^,r, thefe  nevo  Standerbearers^  K  8,  l,t,blot  out  tbatt  L 
*jp>»>lj7/or  thofer,thefe,L  j,I,7jrjCla{ricall. 

In  the  Review  of  Epifcopacie. 

T  o\,f  ^mar  gyl,i  I  yVyHeradam  «^,fol,io,marg,l,'  J,r,E/>//«/?<if«w.  fi»I,ti 
marg.l,ix,for<rrfiflf,r,i«/ff>'f«4,  fc)l,i3,l,x,r,Fc»ceilf|^«,  fol,  x4,I,8,r,o- 
ther^  fol,i6,inarg,l,i?,r,feocfol,x7,I,ii,for  maty  r,fflMy,  fol,58,I,J,for 
caufe,r,fo«r/f :  fol,3?,I»4,for  received  r.  retained  foU  4 j  ,1,  x,  for  abfo- 
lutc  Tyobfalete,  fol,f7,l,xo,  for  which  his  r^wkhbisj  fol,<j,l,j,for  if  r, 
.  hit  the  PreUtes  ,I,xt.put  cue  w^jfolf/^jij,  fcr  both  r,  b  uc.